
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY ADVICE Stay at home: guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection Symptoms The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of: new continuous cough and/or high temperature For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection Main messages if you have symptoms […]

Senior representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government and their Chief Medical Officers met today in Armagh to review the current situation regarding the COVID-19 virus and how best to tackle the outbreak. The Northern Ireland Executive was represented by First Minister Arlene Foster MLA, deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA and […]

The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison has said that people should not order extra supplies from their doctor or stockpile medication. “Covid-19 is presenting increasing challenges for the dedicated staff working in our community pharmacies,” Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison told Newry Times. Article continues below “The Department is working to ensure that everyone continues […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has met her lead team of officials to discuss the contingency plans in place to manage any disruption to its services in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. Speaking afterwards to Newry Times, Minister Hargey said, “It is my top priority to ensure that my Department is doing all it can to […]

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the new guidance for self-isolation following the decision to move from the containment to the delay phase for COVID-19 (coronavirus). The move from containment to delay is timely as we have now seen our first cases of community transmission in Northern Ireland – three of the nine new […]

The Department for Communities has moved to reassure people claiming benefits that their benefits will not be affected if they need to self-isolate due to Covid-19. A spokesperson said, “If people cannot attend an appointment at their Jobs and Benefits office and/or medical assessment centre because of self-isolation, they should let us know immediately. Article […]

As of 2.00pm on Friday 13 March, testing has resulted in nine new positive cases of Covid-19. This brings the total number of cases in Northern Ireland to 29. The Public Health Agency is currently establishing if any of the new cases fall into the category of community transmission. A total of 321 […]

Health service activity across Northern Ireland will, unfortunately, have to be significantly curtailed as resources are diverted to care for coronavirus patients, Minister Robin Swann has stated. Affected services will include non-urgent outpatient appointments, day cases, inpatient and diagnostic work. Article continues below The process of scaling back provision will be phased in over the […]

SDLP Public Health Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA has welcomed what he described as the “proactive, measured and timely approach” taken by the Irish Government as it seeks to control the spread of the coronavirus and has called for the exact same measures to be implemented by the Northern Ireland Executive now. Speaking to Newry Times, […]

Health Minister Robin Swann and Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock met at Stormont today for discussions on the Coronavirus threat. The meeting at Castle Buildings was also attended by Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride. Article continues below Speaking to Newry Times, Mr Swann stated, “I very much welcome the Secretary […]