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The Northern Ireland Department of Health has confirmed a positive test for the new variant of Covid-19 detected for the first time in Great Britain.
Genome analysis has been performed on a small number of suspected cases from Northern Ireland.
A positive result has been returned.
Health officials are understood to believe the strain has been circulating at a low level in Northern Ireland for several weeks.
In a statement, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “This is, unfortunately, the confirmation we expected.
“As I have said since the beginning of this pandemic, we have to avoid both panic and complacency.
“We all have to redouble our efforts to stop the spread of the virus. We know how to do this: reduce our contacts with others, ensure strict social distancing, wash our hands regularly and thoroughly, and cover our faces.”
Medical Director Dr. Michael McBride added: “While mutation of the virus is not uncommon, the potential for this new strain to spread rapidly is of grave concern.
“I would advise the public to act on the assumption that it is already well established in Northern Ireland and that the person they pass on the street or meet in a queue may have it.”
Previously, there were 21 other coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland, 12 of which occurred in the past 24 hours.
Bring the official Health Department toll to 1240.
There were also 787 new test cases in 4,690 people, bringing the cumulative total of positive tests to 63,723.
Based on the relative size of the population, that equates to more than 50 deaths and more than 2,000 new cases in the Republic of Ireland.
There are 451 confirmed coronavirus patients in the hospital, with 31 in the ICU, 22 of whom are on ventilators.
The average infection rate of seven days per 100,000 in Northern Ireland is now 218.2, the highest in 47 days.
The highest rate is found in the Fermanagh and Omagh council area at 303.0, followed by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon at 272.4.
The rate in Belfast is 166.2 and the lowest rate is in Ards and North Down, 104.4.
Today it has been confirmed that people living in the Republic of Ireland who regularly cross the border for essential purposes, such as providing medical care, are exempt from the new travel restrictions in Northern Ireland.
The restrictions went into effect at midnight.
Details released this morning indicate that anyone arriving from Britain or south of the border who intends to stay in Northern Ireland for at least 24 hours must isolate themselves for ten days upon arrival.
Therefore, the new rules do not apply to anyone who lands at a seaport or airport in the north in transit to their home in the Republic.
Those in that category would be expected to adhere to HSE’s guidance that anyone arriving from England, Scotland or Wales must self-isolate for 14 days.
The restrictions state that people should only travel within Northern Ireland when it is essential to do so.
Essential travel exemptions include returning home if away from permanent residence, accessing health and social care services, purchasing essential goods or services, and attending to the care and exercise of an animal or veterinary services.
Those who live north of the border are allowed to travel to meet those in their “Christmas bubble,” but they only have to travel on one day between the dates of December 23-27.
On travel from other parts of the Common Travel Area (Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands), restrictions state that individuals must not travel in or out of Northern Ireland, except where essential to do so .
The restrictions add: “If you are arriving in Northern Ireland from the Common Travel Area to provide medical or social care, or to provide emergency emergency service, you are not subject to these requirements.
“However, you should check with your employer before traveling or attending work, who will then advise you on the best course of action.”
BREAKING: more than 25,000 people in Northern Ireland have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine 👇 @rtenews @FergalBowers @Fergal_O_Brien @Orlaodo @SineadCrowley @GeorgeLeeRTE https://t.co/FNTzGiJyfb
– Vincent Kearney (@vincekearney) December 23, 2020
A Sinn Féin proposal to impose an immediate ban on all flights and ferries arriving from Britain was rejected at an emergency meeting of the Stormont Executive on Monday night.
Today, new regulations also came into force that gave legal basis to the executive’s decision to reduce the five-day period of Christmas relaxation in family gatherings to just one day between December 23 and 27.
A new six-week Covid-19 lockdown will begin in Northern Ireland on St. Stephen’s Day.
It includes the closure of all non-essential retail stores, the hospitality sector (in addition to take-out and home delivery services) and close contact services such as the hairdresser.
A “home curfew” will be established between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM each day during the first week of restrictions, December 26 – January 2, with a number of defined exceptions.
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