SIX people who attended a funeral Mass in Co Down have tested positive for Covid, resulting in the priest and other mourners having to self-isolate.
Fr Stephen McBrearty, parish priest of St Colmcille's in Holywood, revealed the news in an online video to parishioners.
He said following Requiem mass for a parishioner last Tuesday, attended by 25 people, he had been contacted by health authorities to say there had been six positive coronavirus cases.
"The Covid-19 management organisation felt this was very high and was indicating there was some risk to all those who would have been involved at the celebration of the requiem," he said.
"They have asked that all those who were there, and that includes our sacristans and those who helped with the requiem Mass and those involved with the funeral parlour... go into isolation."
Fr McBreary said he and the others were isolating until this Friday and the church would be closed in the meantime, although he would still be celebrating Mass online every evening.
He added: "Our prayers are with those who have fallen prey to the virus.
"I am feeling fine. I have already been vaccinated so I'm confident I didn't fall prey to it but... the virus doesn't excuse anyone.
"We did everything right for the funeral. We took everyone's names. We kept them in their bubbles, they wore masks and sanitised their hands. We cleaned the whole church afterwards... so we were up to date with all the regulations.
"These things happen... God bless... and we'll get through this."
Meanwhile, a further seven Covid-linked deaths were reported in Northern Ireland over the weekend and 310 more positive cases.
There were 227 Covid patients in hospital yesterday, of whom 33 were in intensive care.
Today will see the first significant step out of the lockdown that has been in place since December when pre-school and P1-3 pupils return to school.
No date has been announced for the return of all children to class although it is hoped this could happen after the Easter holidays.
In the Republic, there were 17 more deaths recorded over the weekend and another 1,064 new infections.
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland said there were 423 Covid patients in hospital yesterday, of whom 103 were in intensive care.
As the number of coronavirus vaccinations administered in Northern Ireland passed the 600,000 mark, First Minister Arlene Foster expressed concern yesterday at the slower pace of the programme in the Republic.
"There will have to be conversations about how we move forward in this," she told RTÉ Radio's This Week.
Mrs Foster said chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride had made it clear that if a lot of people were travelling into Northern Ireland who were not vaccinated, it "could have an impact on the efficacy" of the vaccine on those who have received it.
She said so far Stormont has advised people to be sensible rather than issue a ban on crossing the border.
"That's something we haven't done unlike the Republic, we have never had that rule, we have tried to say to people to be sensible and not move between different jurisdictions during the different lockdowns," she said.
"But I think we want to take advice from our medical experts on all of these issues."
