Changes to Covid-19 testing for those with symptoms in Northern Ireland are set to come into force on Monday.
It has been announced that most people in the general population with symptoms of coronavirus will no longer be advised to take a lateral flow test from August 22.
Free lateral flow tests will no longer be available for this purpose, a move in line with the Test, Trace and Protect Transition plan published in March 2022. It aims to make testing more proportionate and targeted to protect the most vulnerable.
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The Department of Health said those eligible for new Covid-19 treatments and those working in health and social care settings will continue to be advised to test and have access to free lateral flow tests.
Dr Joanne McClean, associate deputy chief medical officer, said: "We have always said we would keep Covid-19 measures under review, taking account of the trajectory of the virus. While Covid-19 is still in circulation, levels of infection in the community are falling and the overall impact from serious illness remains low at this time.
“Currently, the most common symptoms of Covid-19 are similar to other respiratory viruses such as flu. It is therefore appropriate that testing is no longer one of the main tools in the fight against the virus for the majority of people.”
The those who continue to test, the advice for adults who test positive remains the same - stay home and avoid contact with others for five days from the date of the positive test. As children tend to less infectious than adults, the isolation period for children is three days.
The Department said respiratory infections, including Covid-19 and flu, can spread easily and can cause serious illness in some people. People should heed their symptoms and take appropriate action to minimise their contact with others.
Dr McClean added: “Rates of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland have fallen and the signs are that they are continuing to fall. The most recent information from the Office for National Statistics suggests that in the week to 8 August 2022 about 1 person in 50 in Northern Ireland had Covid-19. This has fallen since the peak early in the summer. As we move into the autumn we may see infection rates rise again. We will monitor the situation closely and take proportionate action at that time if required.”
The department also said a vaccine booster programme will shortly be rolled-out for those eligible.
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