The department also announced an extension of its lateral flow testing program. In a change to guidance, adults have been advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others if they test positive for Covid. The latest figures from the Statistics and Research Agency for Northern Ireland show there were six Covid-related deaths for the week to 24 June. This brings the death toll that records the number of people who died where the coronavirus was listed on their death certificate to 4,658. Last week, about one in 25 people – or about 71,000 – were thought to have the coronavirus. That number was up from one in 30 people the previous week, or about 59,900. Health Secretary Robin Swann said: “I have always said I would keep the COVID-19 measures under review. It is clear that after a period of declining cases, we are now seeing an increase in cases.
“While prevalence continues to be relatively high, fortunately the overall risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death for those who contract Covid-19 is much lower than in previous waves. “That said, we continue to see severe pressures on our hospitals and the contribution of COVID-19, although admission numbers are lower than previous waves, adds to those pressures. “After careful consideration, I have decided to extend the availability of lateral flow testing for those with symptoms until the end of July.” From today (Friday 1 July), adults who test positive for Covid are being asked to stay home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day they are tested or from the day symptoms start. As children tend to be less contagious than adults, this period is reduced to three days for children under 18. While the self-isolation period has been reduced, people are advised to avoid contact with people at higher risk from Covid for a full 10 days. They should also avoid visiting others in care homes, hospitals and other health and social care settings. Testing to terminate isolation is no longer recommended. Mr Swann added: “This updated advice seeks to strike the right balance at this stage of the pandemic between reducing transmission, protecting the vulnerable and mitigating the disruption caused by longer periods of isolation.” Contact tracing for the virus officially ended on Thursday, June 30. The minister thanked the staff of the Public Health Agency and the wider health service who worked on contact tracing “for their exceptional professionalism and dedication over the last two challenging years”. “I would also like to thank everyone who engaged with the service, provided their contact details and complied with the instructions.” The rise in infection levels has been seen across the UK, with the number of people with the virus rising by more than half a million in the past week. Sarah Crofts, head of analytical results for the Covid-19 infection survey for the Office for National Statistics, said: “Across the UK we have seen a sustained increase of over half a million infections, likely caused by the increase in BA.4 and BA.5 variants. “This rise is observed in all ages, countries and regions of England. “We will continue to monitor the data closely to see if this growth continues in the coming weeks.” Questions and answers about the coronavirus

Lateral flow tests are available to members of the public with Covid symptoms, including mainly those who may qualify for Covid treatments. Tests are also available to a small number of asymptomatic groups, including health and social care staff, those who visit others in health and care settings and those who provide close personal care to someone at higher risk should they contract Covid-19 . This availability has been extended for another month. If you have a high temperature or don’t feel well enough to go to work or do your usual activities, stay home and minimize your contact with others until you feel better. This is advice for all people with symptoms of respiratory infections, not just Covid-19. You can order a test here.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus:

constant cough high temperature, fever or chills loss or change in the normal sense of taste or smell; breathing difficulty unexplained fatigue, lack of energy muscle aches or pains not due to exercise not wanting to eat or not being hungry headache that is unusual or greater than usual; sore, stuffy or runny throat diarrhoea, feeling sick or unwell

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