The Department of Public Health South East says it is concerned about a high incidence of COVID-19 across all counties in the South East region.
It is urging people who have any symptoms of a cold or cough, no matter how mild, to not meet with anybody, self-isolate, and arrange a free PCR test as soon as possible.
In a statement this morning, the Department has this advice for people in the region:
"If you are symptomatic, a negative antigen test will not rule out COVID-19. If you have a positive antigen test, you should isolate and arrange a PCR test. If you have a negative PCR test and you still have symptoms, stay at home until you are feeling well."
"If you are attending a Christmas gathering and you are taking antigen tests, take a number of antigen tests, including just before the event. If you test positive, you should self-isolate and arrange a free PCR test as soon as possible."
Dr Carmel Mullaney, Director of Public Health South East, said:
“We acknowledge that isolating at Christmas time can be upsetting for many people, but you do not want to bring COVID-19 into a household where a loved one could potentially become very ill as a result.”
