A potential cluster of coronavirus cases has been identified in Ballymena with health officials "monitoring" developments.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) yesterday confirmed it is "aware of a number of cases in the Ballymena area that may be associated with a cluster".
Health minister Robin Swann's North Antrim constituency office is based in the town centre.
It has also emerged that a total of 16 clusters linked to 133 cases have been identified in the north since May 24 through the agency’s contact tracing programme.
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."
Last week, health officials reported for the first time on a cluster of the virus in Limavady, which was linked to a house party.
Meanwhile, a suspected outbreak in Crossgar and Ballynahinch earlier this month was attributed to "household infections".
When asked to define a cluster, the PHA spokeswoman said it related to "two or more laboratory confirmed cases of Covid-19 among individuals associated with a key setting with illness onset dates within a 14 day period".
She said this could be a workplace, educational establishment or similar type setting.
Outbreaks of the virus in households are not classed as clusters, she added.
"Covid-19 transmission risk is highest in a household setting, and it is to be anticipated that a significant number of linked cases within households will be identified by efficient contact tracing. It is for this reason that household linked cases are not reported as clusters."
As lockdown restrictions ease, outbreak spikes are anticipated across the north with a contract tracing programme underway since mid-May.
Anyone who tests positive for coronvirus is currently contacted by the PHA-led team and given advice on what to do about managing symptoms.
They are told to self-isolate and provide details of people they have been in close contact with.
A covid 'track and trace' phone app is due to be launched by the Department of Health by the end of this month.
The PHA spokeswoman added: "This virus has the potential to make its presence felt in any district. Everyone should act on the basis that it might potentially be in their neighbourhood right now.
"That’s why following the public health advice on regular hand washing and maintaining a social distance of two metres remains vitally important.
"If anyone is concerned that they are experiencing any of the symptoms of coronavirus, they must self-isolate and arrange a test as soon as possible. For further information on the virus, its symptoms and how to book a test, visit www.pha.site/coronavirus."
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