New coronavirus restrictions come into force today in parts of NI

By Q Radio News and PA

New coronavirus restrictions have been agreed by Stormont ministers.

Residents living in the BT60 area, which covers parts of Co Armagh, will now have to comply and limit the number of people they meet with. 

That includes about half of Armagh city, Keady and Markethill.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill tweeted after yesterday's meeting: “We are moving in the wrong direction, the virus is spreading but we can reverse this trend.

In response to a rise in positive #COVID19 cases in postcode area BT60, local restrictions will now apply.

We are moving in the wrong direction, the virus is spreading but we can reverse this trend.

By following advice, we can support our health workers and save lives.

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) September 17, 2020

“By following advice, we can support our health workers and save lives.”

In a written statement to the Assembly, Health Minister Robin Swann said the restrictions for BT60 will be effective from today. 

“It is expected that the impact of these restrictions on transmission will take around two weeks to become apparent,” he said.

“These restrictions will be retained only as long as they are deemed necessary and proportionate.

“However I would remind members that local restrictions may need to be introduced urgently in further areas in response to spikes in incidence. I will endeavour to try to keep the House informed of those decisions, even through regular short written statements.”

A further 149 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the Department of Health yesterday. 

This brings the total number of cases to 8,780, including 689 in the last seven days.

No further deaths were reported. 

Coronavirus restrictions in Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland subjected to localised measures became legally enforceable by police on Wednesday and repeat offenders face fines of up to £960.

The current estimate of the virus’ reproductive rate is 1.2.

The average number of new positive tests per day during the last seven days was 90 and incidence based on new positive tests was 33 per 100,000.

Chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young said: “Over the last week, we have seen a plateauing in cases and an increase in hospital admissions.”

The seven-day average number of Covid-occupied beds increased from 16 to 21.

He added the proportion of cases in individuals aged more than 60 years has risen from under 10% to just under 16%, but remains significantly below wave one of the epidemic where around half of cases were in this age group.

“The current increase in cases in younger people is likely to lead to increasing cases in the over-60s with resulting pressure on the hospital system and, tragically, increasing deaths.”