[ad_1]
A high school in Co Tyrone closed after several cases of coronavirus were identified at the school.
Holy Cross College in Strabane said it had to close “on very short notice” Wednesday morning due to “two other confirmed cases in the school community.”
Two other members of the school tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, the school said.
Close contacts were briefed and advised to self-isolate for 14 days, and the school was thoroughly cleaned before staff and students arrived on Monday morning.
Holy Cross College is a coeducational school with about 1,500 students between the ages of 11 and 18.
West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley from Sinn Féin said the decision to close had been “taken as a precaution for the safety of students, school staff and the community at large as a result of rising infection rates.” .
This reinforced the call of the Executive of the North, he said, “that this is a crucial moment and that everyone must play their role to help stop the spread of the virus by following the advice and regulations of public health.
“I know this was not an easy decision for the school to make and the safety of students and staff is paramount,” he said.
Infection rates have risen in Northern Ireland, with 963 people testing positive for the virus in the seven days to Tuesday.
New restrictions went into effect Tuesday aimed at halting the spread of the virus by limiting the number of people who can gather in private homes.
Northern Ireland recorded 220 new coronavirus cases in the 24 hours to Wednesday, according to the Northern Department of Health (DoH). It brings the total number of confirmed cases in the North since the start of the pandemic to 9,761, including 1,078 in the past seven days.
No further coronavirus-related deaths were reported, leaving the total number of deaths recorded by the Department at 577. More than half of all cases (680) identified in the past week were in people 39 and younger.
However, figures from Wednesday showed that hospital admissions are increasing, with 41 Covid-19 patients currently receiving hospital treatment in the north and six in intensive care.
Alcohol-only pubs welcomed patrons on Wednesday, a day after additional restrictions were imposed limiting national gatherings across the country. Additional reports: PA
[ad_2]