Probable cases of DELTA variant of Covid-19 in Omagh

THE Public Health Agency has identified a number of probable cases of the DELTA varient of Covid-19 in areas of Omagh following early test results.

Extra test centres to identify possible cases of the varient will operate in the town area over the next few days at Christ the King Church in Strathroy and Healy Park, as well as the existing test centre at Lisanelly Avenue.

Testing is open to everyone in the area who is over the age of five years.

Households in the areas that the testing covers will be contacted directly by the PHA from tomorrow (Friday)

“As a precautionary measure, we are asking asymptomatic people to get tested in selected, targeted neighbourhoods within these areas. This is in advance of confirmation of whether a variant is present and so we can identify asymptomatic Covid-19 cases early and reduce the risk of spread in the community,” said a spokesperson for the PHA.

Dr Brid Farrell, assistant director of service development, safety and quality at the PHA said;

“We encourage all those eligible in the neighbourhoods identified by the agency to present for testing, preferably within 24-72 hours of receiving their letter,” she said.

“We are particularly interested in people in the 18 to 40 agegroup coming forward for testing as we are seeing more cases of the Delta variant throughout Northern Ireland.”

Testing in the Omagh area will take place at Lisanelly Avenue from 8am to 2pm daily, Christ the King Chapel at Strathroy from 9am to 3pm on today (Thursday) June 17 and tomorrow (Friday) June 18 and at Healy Park on Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20 between 9am and 3pm.