Residents in Craigavon have been urged to take extra precautions against Covid-19 as new data shows the area has the highest infection rate anywhere in the north.
Figures released by the Department of Health yesterday show that over the last week the BT64 postcode, which covers part of Craigavon, has the highest coronavirus infection rate , with 1,220.5 testing positive per 100,000 people.
That figure is more than double the next highest postcode area, BT65, which is also in Craigavon, and has 606.1 people testing positive per 100,000.
The third highest infection rate is located in the BT68 area of Co Tyrone, close to the border and containing the village of Caledon.
The data on infection rates covers the period of January 18-24, and shows that the area with the lowest rate in that period was BT1 in Belfast city centre, with 39.2 per 100,000.
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Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie told the Irish News that the new figures for Craigavon were "extremely worrying" and urged people in the area to adhere to restrictions and social distancing in order to reduce the transmission rate.
"No matter where you are there's a concern about Covid, but this most recent spike in Craigavon is extremely worrying," the UUP Assemblyman said.
"This postcode area is right in the heart of Craigavon, and is a working class, tight-knit community. This may be why community transmission is taking off here. I would urge everyone in Craigavon, and of course across Northern Ireland, to please adhere to all health guidelines. Craigavon is fortunate to have a drive-through testing centre and I urge people to make use of it."
Meanwhile, Monday's data released by the Department of Health shows that a further 17 people have died of Covid-19 in the north, taking the total confirmed NI death toll to 1,747.
Another 422 positive Covid-19 test results mean the confirmed total number of cases here since the pandemic began is 100,741.
As of yesterday, there have been 159,642 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine given in the north.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has confirmed that British Army medical personnel will be assisting nursing staff in Belfast hospitals by Friday.
Over 100 trained military medical technicians will be deployed to hospitals following a request for assistance by health minister Robin Swann.
A Belfast Trust spokesperson told the BBC yesterday that the technicians would be working in their roles by the end of the week.
In the Republic, seven more people have died of Covid-19, it was announced yesterday, taking the confirmed number of coronavirus fatalities to 2,977.
Another 1,372 positive cases have been reported, bringing the total confirmed number of positive cases in the south to 188,923.
UK-wide, another 592 deaths of people within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 have been reported, bringing the confirmed UK death toll to 98,531.
Another 22,195 positive cases in the UK takes the confirmed number so far to 3,669,658.
