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Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
Health Minister Robin Swann says there is a “narrow window” to suppress the virus
The coronavirus is “gaining momentum” again in Northern Ireland and there is a “narrow window” to suppress it, Health Minister Robin Swann said.
Swann said the 14-day incidence rate for new cases here had risen from 64 per 100,000 to 85.9.
New restrictions banning home visits went into effect Tuesday night.
NI Medical Director Dr. Michael McBride warned that NI could see 500 new cases per day in October if the rules are ignored.
‘Lives depend on it’
At a press conference in Stormont, Dr. McBride urged “everyone to pause and think about it.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way, but it depends on what we all do now.
“I ask you for six more months of commitment, as if your life depended on it, because your life and the lives of others depend on it.”
The Health Minister said he challenged “anyone who still doubts the severity of this virus to sit on the other side of the table” from a family grieving over Covid-19.
Restricted hospital visits
Swann confirmed that hospital visits in Northern Ireland will be limited to one family member per patient, once a week.
It’s an extension of the localized restrictions introduced earlier this month that would reduce visits in certain zip code areas.
The minister said that new guidelines on exemptions will be issued in particular circumstances.
He previously met the family of a cancer patient who died at Craigavon Area Hospital after an outbreak of the virus.
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Six deaths have been linked to the outbreak in the Craigavon Hospital hematology ward
John Fleming, 79, of Loughgilly, County Armagh, was being treated for bone cancer when the virus entered the hospital’s hematology ward last month.
The father of four tested positive the day before his discharge and died on September 3.
Fleming’s family had written an open letter to the minister raising questions about the outbreak at the hospital.
‘We need answers’
Speaking after the meeting, Ann, Fleming’s widow, said: “It’s tough, extremely tough, but we don’t want this to happen to anyone else.
“There’s no use standing in your big, shiny office saying we didn’t do this and we didn’t do that.
“That is not activated. We need answers.”
Fleming’s daughter Yvonne said she believed the minister had “listened carefully” to her concerns.
Swann said the coronavirus outbreaks at the Southern Trust show “the cruelty of this virus.”
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Pacemaker
Five patients have died as a result of a Covid-19 outbreak in the male medical ward at Daisy Hill Hospital
Eleven patients died after coronavirus outbreaks at Daisy Hill and Craigavon Area hospitals.
A level three Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) investigation will be conducted across the Southern Trust, which operates the hospitals.
A SAI investigation into the deaths of two patients at the Antrim Area Hospital has also been confirmed to have been raised to the highest level.
The two patients died earlier this year during what the Northern Trust said was a “surge period” for the virus at the hospital, but details have only emerged recently.
Both patients were relatives and the Northern Trust said the family was consulted about the move.
Mr Swann announced that Dr Guduru Gopal Rao, a microbiologist with the London North West University NHS Trust, will lead the Southern Trust’s independent review on outbreak management.
“I am on record saying that lessons must be learned,” added the minister.
The largest increase in cases in the last 24 hours has been in the Belfast council area
The latest statistics from the Health Department show that there have been no more coronavirus-related deaths and 220 more positive cases. The death toll remains at 577.
The dashboard also shows that 41 people are in hospital with Covid-19, six in intensive care units.
Two deaths were recorded in the Republic of Ireland and 234 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the last 24 hours.
‘To take action’
Dr. Michael McBride said he understood that the families of patients who had died at the Southern Trust wanted “answers to reasonable questions.”
He said the review of the Severe Adverse Incident (SAI) may “seem lengthy and lengthy.”
“What I can say is that providing those answers requires a complex and detailed analysis of complicated factors that may have contributed.
“This is important work that must be done at all times and we will get it done and complete as soon as possible.
“Unfortunately with the levels of transmission within the community, we will see more outbreaks in hospitals and residences and that is why it is vitally important that we take action now to suppress the levels.”
Dr. McBride also said that “the virus has not weakened” and urged the public to adhere to the latest restrictions and take personal responsibility.
“It really depends on all of us: you will choose to follow him or not and, with your decisions or actions, you will not only take risks for yourself, but you will choose to expose others.
“I ask you now not to give up, do not deviate, do not lose your commitment.”
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He added that if Northern Ireland did not take advantage of the “narrow window of opportunity” to reduce the spread of the virus, there would be “much worse to come”.
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