Dear reader

Today brought the sad news that a Ballymoney schoolboy has died following an incident at a waterfall while on holiday in Wicklow. Lewis Fleming, 15, was a pupil at Coleraine Grammar School and our thoughts go to his family and friends.

We also report how a gang of men poured fuel over a delivery driver before setting his truck alight in a third night of violence in Londonderry.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact upon the lives of many across Northern Ireland and has caused a number of business premises to shut their doors in recent days following positive tests by staff members. Retail, entertainment and food outlets in a number of areas have been affected by the closures.

The Department of Health revealed the current estimate of R is 0.8 – 1.8. R represents the number of individuals who, on average, will be infected by a single person with the infection. A rate above 1 shows the number of infections is growing. 

Thankfully there have been no more reported coronavirus deaths in NI with the figure remaining at 556 but it has been confirmed that 43 new COVID-19 infections have been identified.

Further information released by the Public Health agency has revealed that there are currently 11 active Covid-19 clusters in Northern Ireland. A cluster is currently defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among individuals associated with a key setting, with illness onset dates within a 14 day period.

23 clusters have been identified during the pandemic and 168 cases have been confirmed within those clusters.  9 of those have involved 5 or more people with 4 recorded in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, 3 in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area and 1 each in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council areas. 

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus can book a free test. For further information on the virus, its symptoms and how to book a test, visit www.pha.site/coronavirus  

Keep safe

Michael Cousins

Deputy digital editor

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