ENHANCED TESTING IN BALLYMONEY

ENhanced Covid-19 testing is to begin in Ballymoney, County Antrim, after a number of “probable cases” of the Delta variant were identified in the area.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) said it will contact residents in selected neighbourhoods in  Ballymoney to ask them to be tested for the virus.

It added this was a “precautionary measure” to prevent further infection.

The PHA will send letters to households in the testing area from Friday.

‘Asymptomatic cases’

The letters will invite all residents over the age of five to undergo testing, even if they have not experienced any symptoms of the disease.

“Testing in these areas is a precautionary measure to identify asymptomatic cases and help prevent and delay further spread of the virus,” said Dr Bríd Farrell from the PHA.

“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.”

similar voluntary testing exercise took place in Kilkeel earlier this month, when a small number of probable Delta variant cases were found in the County Down town.