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12/01/2022
Estimated 99,200 Covid-19 Cases In First Week Of January
An estimated 99,200 people in Northern Ireland had Covid-19 between 31 December and 06 January, according to the latest Department of Health statics.
The estimated figure represents 5.41% of the population or around 1 in 20 people. Modelling suggests the percentage of people testing positive continued to increase in the week ending 06 January in Northern Ireland.
COVID-19 infections compatible with the Omicron variant continued to increase across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, and Omicron continues to be the most common variant across all UK countries; Delta compatible infections have fallen to very low levels and Omicron is now the dominant variant across the UK
The World Health Organization (WHO) have defined names for 'Variants of Concern'. These are variants that the UK government has under surveillance.
UK Variants of Concern:
Alpha: B.1.1.7
Beta: B.1.351
Gamma: P.1
Delta: B.1.617.2 and its genetic descendants
Omicron: B.1.1.529 (which includes sublineages BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3)
The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of COVID-19 has changes in one of the three genes that coronavirus swab tests detect, known as the S-gene. This means in cases compatible with the Omicron variant, the S-gene is no longer detected by the current test. When there is a high viral load (for example, when a person is most infectious) absence of the S-gene in combination with the presence of the other two genes (ORF1ab and N-genes) is a reliable indicator of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). However, as the viral load decreases (for example, if someone is near the end of their recovery from the infection), the absence of the S-gene is a less reliable indicator of the Omicron variant.
The estimated figure represents 5.41% of the population or around 1 in 20 people. Modelling suggests the percentage of people testing positive continued to increase in the week ending 06 January in Northern Ireland.
COVID-19 infections compatible with the Omicron variant continued to increase across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, and Omicron continues to be the most common variant across all UK countries; Delta compatible infections have fallen to very low levels and Omicron is now the dominant variant across the UK
The World Health Organization (WHO) have defined names for 'Variants of Concern'. These are variants that the UK government has under surveillance.
UK Variants of Concern:
Alpha: B.1.1.7
Beta: B.1.351
Gamma: P.1
Delta: B.1.617.2 and its genetic descendants
Omicron: B.1.1.529 (which includes sublineages BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3)
The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of COVID-19 has changes in one of the three genes that coronavirus swab tests detect, known as the S-gene. This means in cases compatible with the Omicron variant, the S-gene is no longer detected by the current test. When there is a high viral load (for example, when a person is most infectious) absence of the S-gene in combination with the presence of the other two genes (ORF1ab and N-genes) is a reliable indicator of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). However, as the viral load decreases (for example, if someone is near the end of their recovery from the infection), the absence of the S-gene is a less reliable indicator of the Omicron variant.
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Cocaine Worth £100,000 Seized In West Belfast
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People Urged To 'Protect Their Vision'
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has urged people to take steps to protect their vision, with more than half of sight loss being preventable. Marking Save Your Vision Month [March], Dr Jackie McCall, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: "Looking after your eyes at all stages of life is extremely important.
People Urged To 'Protect Their Vision'
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has urged people to take steps to protect their vision, with more than half of sight loss being preventable. Marking Save Your Vision Month [March], Dr Jackie McCall, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: "Looking after your eyes at all stages of life is extremely important.
13 February 2024
Ambitious New Vision For NI School Facilities
An ambitious vision for school facilities across Northern Ireland has been published by Education Minister, Paul Givan. In his first Ministerial statement in the Assembly, the Minister set out his plans for capital investment across the Education Sector.
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09 April 2024
Other News In Brief
Executive Must 'Start Delivering' – SDLP The SDLP has said that the Executive must "start delivering for people across the North". SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA made the call during a debate on the Spring Supplementary Estimates in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Other News In Brief
Executive Must 'Start Delivering' – SDLP The SDLP has said that the Executive must "start delivering for people across the North". SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA made the call during a debate on the Spring Supplementary Estimates in the Assembly on Tuesday.
03 April 2024
PSNI ACC Issues Statement Following 'Really Busy Easter'
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable, Bobby Singleton, has commented on a "really busy Easter for the Police Service with close to 80 parades taking place across the country". ACC Singleton said that he wanted to put on record his thanks to event organisers and participants who worked with the force to keep people safe.
PSNI ACC Issues Statement Following 'Really Busy Easter'
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable, Bobby Singleton, has commented on a "really busy Easter for the Police Service with close to 80 parades taking place across the country". ACC Singleton said that he wanted to put on record his thanks to event organisers and participants who worked with the force to keep people safe.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains mainly dry overnight with a touch of frost or fog patches possible in places. However, cloud is expected to increase towards dawn with the odd light shower. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
