Covid-19 cases double in Mid Ulster district in the past week

The total number of deaths related to Covid-19 in the district has now sadly climbed to 112.

According to the latest Department of Health figures 364 people tested positive between December 16-22, and this had risen to 723 for the period December 23-29.

There were 364 positive tests in the age group 20-34; 215 in the 40-59 group; 84 in the 60-79 group, and 26 in the 80 and over group.

A total of 49,756 people have been tested in the district with 6,657 testing positive for Covid-19. This represents 4,513 positive tests per 100k of the population. The overwhelming majority, 43,099, were negative.

The Magherafelt post code BT45 shows 113 individuals tested positive in the past week; Cookstown post code BT80 78 tested postive, and Dungannon post code BT71 102 tested positive.

Cookstown Ulster Unionist Councillor Trevor Wilson, who had the virus a few months ago but has now recovered, said the latest figures are "shocking."

He said the general public must realise that the virus is real and is highly contagious.

"It can affect everybody in different ways and is easily spread," he said. "I would appeal to people to follow the guidelines, wash their hands regularly and keep their distance from others."

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