Northern Ireland

16 covid clusters confirmed as Robin Swann warns of dangers of unlicensed medicines

Health Minister Robin Swann has warned of the dangers of unlicensed medicines in treating coronavirus.<br />. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/PA Wire
Health Minister Robin Swann has warned of the dangers of unlicensed medicines in treating coronavirus.
. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/PA Wire
Health Minister Robin Swann has warned of the dangers of unlicensed medicines in treating coronavirus.
. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/PA Wire

THE Public Health Agency's (PHA) contact tracing scheme has identified 16 Covid-19 clusters in the north since going live in May.

The PHA has confirmed that 133 cases of coronavirus infection have resulted from the clusters, which are defined as two or more laboratory test-confirmed cases among individuals associated with a "key setting" such as a workplace.

The Irish News yesterday revealed that a cluster was suspected in the Ballymena area, with a PHA spokesperson saying they were "monitoring" developments. Health officials have previously confirmed a cluster in the Limavady area was linked to a house party gathering.

A PHA spokeswoman said: "As with all cases of Covid-19, the PHA will monitor the situation, look for trends and linked cases and where we need to advise or inform the public of any increased risk to public health we will do so in a timely manner. We will not comment on individual cases as this could lead to people being identified and deter others with symptoms coming forward to be tested. We would ask everyone to be mindful of this risk."

News of the clusters came as it was reported that no further deaths have occurred in the north as a result of Covid-19.

There have been no deaths reported by the PHA since July 13, and the total number of fatalities in the north to date stands at 556. Nine further cases of infection means the current number of confirmed positive cases in the north stands at 5,868.

One death was recorded in the Republic today while 17 new cases were also confirmed. To date, 1,754 people have died in the south of Covid-19, while there has been 25,819 confirmed cases.

It was also announced yesterday that a doctor working at Dublin's Mater Hospital has died after contracting coronavirus.

Dr Syed Waqqar Ali died after three months in intensive care at the hospital, where he was cared for by colleagues. The front-line worker's death brings to eight the number of healthcare staff in the south to have died from Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Stormont health minister Robin Swann has warned of the danger of using unlicensed prescription medicines to treat Covid-19.

He said his department was aware of unlicensed anti-viral drugs being imported to Northern Ireland and warned the public "not to be fooled" by online offers for such drugs.

"Some of these so called medicines could potentially do more harm than the virus," Mr Swann said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said the risk to the public from unlicensed medicines is "significant".

"I would urge the public to be vigilant and to avoid putting their health at risk by using medication from an unknown source. People should only take prescription medicines after an appropriate consultation with their GP or other healthcare professional and source them from a registered pharmacy," he said.