Schools in the north to close for two weeks

Schools north of the border are to shut for two weeks at midterm in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.Confirmation came this morning of the move and the closure of pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland for four weeks, with the exception of takeaways and deliveries.

First Minister Arlene Foster confirmed the increased restrictions this morning, which will come into effect from Friday.

There are now fears that Level 4 restrictions could be imposed on some border counties in the Republic, including Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal

Cavan now has the highest 14-day incidence rate of the virus in the county.

There were 314 confirmed new cases of COVID-19 in County Cavan in the two-week period up to Monday, October 12. It amounts to an incidence rate of 412.2 cases per 100,000 of population.

Donegal, in second position, has a comparable rate of 354.9; while Monaghan, in third, currently has an incidence rate of 312.8 cases per 100K of population.

Cavan General Hospital, meanwhile, has the largest number of Covid-19 admissions with 30 confirmed cases, compared to 25 in Beaumont and 21 in Letterkenny University Hospital.

The figures for the Border counties, coupled with the measures to be adopted in the North, suggest 'Level Four' restrictions are on the way.

The Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, had warned earlier this week Border counties may be subject to further restrictions.

He said the Government will respond to whatever decisions are made in Northern Ireland, while expressing concern about the incidence rates of the virus in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.

It is understood the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has been in contact with the Government regarding the possibility of a rapid move to Level 4 for the Border counties in a bid to limit cross-Border infections.

NPHET is due to meet on Thursday to discuss the pandemic and latest wave of infection in the Republic.

Meanwhile, in a statement at a special sitting of the Assembly, Ms Foster said the situation needs to be urgently addressed as numbers continue to rise and hospitalisations are on the increase.

Under the measures, retail will remain open, but "close contact services" will be closed.

People are being advised to avoid all unnecessary travel and work from home, while universities will be asked to teach remotely to the maximum extent.

In Northern Ireland, some 6,286 new positive cases of the virus have been detected in the last seven days, bringing the total number of cases there to 21,898.

Attendance at funerals will be restricted to 25 people.

Schools will close from Monday, October 19, for a two-week period.

The Derry and Strabane Council area, which borders Donegal, has been experiencing the highest infection rate in the UK and Ireland, with a seven-day average of 970 cases per 100,000 people.