The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to stick to key public health advice and exercise caution over the coming days and weeks, particularly with regards to social gatherings. The PHA is aware of a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases emanating from a number of social events in North Down and East Belfast attended by young people last week, but with cases likely to follow in the next few weeks in South Belfast, Hillsborough, Comber, Bangor and the Ards Peninsula through previous and new social links. The PHA is continuing to investigate the circumstances and deploy control measures to

An emotional health and wellbeing programme which has been enjoyed by over 20,000 primary school-aged children in Northern Ireland is this year celebrating its tenth anniversary. The Roots of Empathy programme, which is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and co-ordinated by local health trusts, has been delivered to 306 schools and 22,990 children over the last decade. “Roots of Empathy has been very successful in Northern Ireland,” said Maurice Meehan, the PHA Head of Health and Social Wellbeing (Northern). “It is an evidence-based school programme and Queen’s University research of

The Public Health Agency has identified a number of probable cases of the Delta variant (VOC-21APR-02) in areas of Castlewellan, Co Down, and Derry/Londonderry. These early results are suggestive of the variant but this has not been confirmed. As a precautionary measure we are asking asymptomatic people aged 18-40 years old from selected, targeted neighbourhoods within these areas to get PCR tested. This is so we can identify asymptomatic COVID-19 cases early and reduce the risk of spread in the community. Those being asked to come forward for testing will be contacted by post from tomorrow

The Public Health Agency’s (PHA) surveillance systems are indicating that as of yesterday [Tuesday 22 June 2021], 612 confirmed or probable cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 have been detected throughout all 11 local council areas in Northern Ireland. This is not a surprising development as we have seen the Delta variant become prominent in other countries across Europe and anticipated that the same would happen here. Latest information shows that around half of COVID-19 positive cases sampled in Northern Ireland are indicative of the of the Delta variant, which isn’t unexpected but shows

The Public Health Agency has identified a number of probable cases of the Delta variant (VOC-21APR-02) in areas of Ballymoney and Omagh. These early results are suggestive of the variant but this has not been confirmed. As a precautionary measure we are asking asymptomatic people to get tested in selected, targeted neighbourhoods within these areas. This is in advance of confirmation of whether a variant is present and so we can identify asymptomatic COVID-19 cases early and reduce the risk of spread in the community. Testing is opening to everyone in these areas over the age of 5 years old

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is concluding its enhanced testing work in Kilkeel. Dr Bríd Farrell, Assistant Director of Service Development, Safety and Quality at the PHA, said:: “More than 2,100 residents have participated in the targeted testing in the Kilkeel area. Examination of the data from before and during the enhanced testing reveals that since Monday 30 May, there have been 50 COVID-19 positive cases. Of these, 28 are probable or confirmed cases of the Delta variant (VOC-21APR-02, first detected in India). “The situation in the area is stable and no additional public health