Premises closed as Covid infections rise

LATEST statistics reveal a major increase in local Covid cases with nearly 700 new infections recorded in the Fermanagh & Omagh District Council (FODC) area.

The week ending August 9 seen 692 new cases in FODC, which is 280 more than the 412 recorded the previous week.

The rapid increase is taking a particular toll on the local hospitality industry and childcare facilities, forcing temporary closures due to staff either having the virus or isolating.

Last weekend, Sallys, The Blind Cobbler, The Weigh Inn, and Kelly’s Inn all closed their doors in order to protect staff and customers from contracting the virus.

As a precautionary measure, the Main Street Complex substantially limited its services, ‘suspending all wet bar and entertainment offerings’ and only serving food for a small window in the evening.

However, The Weigh Inn and Sally’s have since reopened, and Main Street has lifted most of its limited service restrictions, although a ban on indoor entertainment remains in place.

The Blind Cobbler and Kelly’s Inn are due to reopen today (Thursday).

It is not only hospitality which have experienced the impact of the current Covid wave.

Daycare facilities such as Omagh Early Years closed for two days last week, while the Tamlaght Road’s Cornabracken and PlayZone, located at St Conor’s Primary School, both remain closed until Monday.

Buddies, another Omagh childcare centre with 150 kids and around 25 staff, were due to open again at the beginning of next week after a Covid-related closure, however the emergence of new cases among staff has meant they will have to stay closed for an additional week.

There are 53 Covid patients currently being treated in Western Trust facilities; 41 in Altnagalven and 12 in South West Acute Hospital.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to continue to be vigilant for Covid-19 as rates in Northern Ireland remain higher than the United Kingdom.

Dr David Cromie, consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said, “It is vital that we all do as much as we can to stop the spread of Covid-19 infection.

“This is a serious disease and people are still dying or becoming very unwell.

“We need everyone to continue to follow the public health advice, get tested if they are symptomatic, and engage with the Contact Tracing Centre (CTS) if they test positive for Covid-19.

“If you haven’t yet received your Covid-19 vaccine, make arrangements to get it as soon as possible, as the vaccine will help prevent you from becoming seriously unwell with Covid-19, and also help keep vulnerable members of our community safe.”