Cluster of Covid-19 cases identified in Northern Ireland

A dental organisation has said that its roughly 900 members have not got the safety gear they need to treat patients, with just days to go before all dentists are supposed to fully re-open.

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              Jul 16, 2020           Good afternoon,   While a return to a more normal way of life for us all is to be welcomed, there is no doubt that Covid-19 is still very much a threat in our community.   This afternoon it was revealed that the Public Health Agency has identified a cluster of cases in the Limavady area, linked to a social gathering in a private setting.  The Agency's message is clear: "This virus has the potential to make its presence felt in any district. Everyone should act on the basis that it might potentially be in their neighbourhood right now."   The potential mandatory wearing of face masks in shops across Northern Ireland has been a topic of public and private debate all this week, with Health Minister Robin Swann among those voicing support for the move.  East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, however, feels it should be up to everyone to decide for themselves if they want to wear face coverings or not.    He says that as we try to move back to normality, 'the level of state interference in our lives should also be reduced, not increased'.   Whatever your views on the subject, I'm sure everyone will agree they are finding the sight of the public wearing face masks in our streets and neighbourhoods a lot less bizarre than they would have done just a month or so ago.   Stay safe,   Valerie Martin, Head of Content.   Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.               With days to go until full opening, dentists 'do not have the PPE kit we need to treat patients'           A dental organisation has said that its roughly 900 members have not got the safety gear they need to treat patients, with just days to go before all dentists are supposed to fully re-open.                 Esmond Birnie: There is still no sign of a clear difference in the Covid-19 death rate between Northern Ireland and the Republic   The cumulative Covid-19 death rate in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was broadly similar, using as comparable a basis as possible.           NI on high alert as US tourists 'ignore 14 day quarantine' and spark row in Republic of Ireland   The Northern Ireland tourism and hospitality sector is on high alert after numerous reports of US tourists ignoring the 14 day quarantine rule after arriving in Dublin from COVID-19 hot-spots such as Texas.           'NHS heroes' unpaid four months after starting up Covid-19 hospital: Trust emailed GPs proposed pay offer on their last day   Desperate 'NHS Heroes' who volunteered to work on the front line with Covid-19 patients are engaged in a "dreadful" running battle to secure any payment from Belfast Trust almost four months after starting work.           Court told assault was sparked by social distancing dispute   A 31-year old man was handed a three-month jail term today for an assault at an ATM sparked by a socially distancing dispute.           The Gobbins reopening 'very soon'   Work is ongoing to facilitate the reopening of The Gobbins at Islandmagee in keeping with post-lockdown guidelines.                 View more on Coronavirus

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