Northern Ireland

Concerns raised about rise in coronavirus cases as chief medical officer appeals for people to wear masks

Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride. Picture by Pacemaker
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride. Picture by Pacemaker Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride. Picture by Pacemaker

THERE are concerns about rising numbers of coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland as the chief medical officer appealed for people to wear masks.

Dr Michael McBride was speaking after it was revealed that the daily case rate of the virus in the north had tripled since the start of July.

At the beginning of July, there was an average of around three to four cases per day, but that has now increased to more than 10.

Dr McBride said while the numbers are still low, it showed the virus is still active in the community. He said it made measures such as social distancing and the wearing of face coverings in enclosed spaces more important.

It comes as around 80,000 people with serious underlying health conditions can today pause shielding.

They have remained in their homes for the past four months due to the high risk of becoming severely ill if they contract Covid-19.

Specific cancer patients, cystic fibrosis sufferers and organ transplant patients have been among those shielding as well as pregnant women with significant heart disease, COPD patients and those with severe respiratory conditions, including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.

While shielding is paused, those classed as vulnerable have been urged to maintain social distancing and from tomorrow face coverings will become mandatory in shops in Northern Ireland in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

But enforcement will not begin until August 20, if necessary, after Executive ministers last week said they would encourage as many people to wear them before enforcing the policy.

A publicity campaign is set to be launched by the Executive in a bid to encourage people to wear masks before they become mandatory. Face coverings are already compulsory in shops in England and Scotland.

Face coverings have been shown to help protect other people from contracting the disease from someone who may have virus.

Speaking yesterday, Dr McBride said he believed people will do the "right thing" in voluntarily wearing masks in indoor spaces ahead of the August 20 deadline set.

"Please wear a face covering for the sake of others and for yourself," he told The Stephen Nolan Show.

"That's the message from myself and the chief scientific advisor, that's the message from the Health Minister and Executive colleagues including the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

"I don't want to get into a situation where we're issuing fixed penalty notices to people for not wearing face masks, I think we will all have failed... and I don't believe the people of Northern Ireland will not do the right thing."

Dr McBride added: "The Executive is being very clear in its decision, it is taking the powers, but it recognises this is a very significant fundamental cultural change for the people and citizens of Northern Ireland.

"That's why there's a phased implementation."