A COVID-19 outbreak has occurred in the Coleraine and District Health Service, with six residents and twelve staff in the Valley View Nursing Home testing positive recently.

A lockdown was declared on Tuesday, April 19, but was stood down by the Public Health Unit at midnight on Monday, May 2.

Western District Health Service (WDHS) chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald said after hearing about residents and staff at Coleraine returning positive COVID-19 test results, the first and foremost concern was for their safety.

“Prior to Easter, we had set an ambitious target to administer fourth dose vaccinations to all eligible residents – thanks to the work of our clinical and medical teams the job was done,” he said.

“As a result of the high vaccination rates and use of anti-viral medications, our residents have reported only mild symptoms, a remarkable outcome, which was unimaginable only 12 months ago.

“Congratulations to the Coleraine team, who have done an amazing job in difficult circumstances.

Mr Fitzgerlad said that managing COVID-19 outbreaks with high vaccination rates and anti-viral medications had been a pandemic game changer.

“Through our lived experience we now know that vaccinations and anti-viral medications work effectively at reducing the severity and mortality rates of COVID-19,” he said.

“That’s a huge relief and incredibly reassuring as we enter this new era of living with the virus.

Mr Fitzgerald said that for the last two years, WDHS had managed to contain outbreaks to only a few cases in each facility, with lockdowns and restricting movement some of the only strategies as a defence against the virus.

He said WDHS will continue to make changes to its organisational strategies as more is learnt about living with COVID-19.

“It’s tough shifting our thinking from a lockdown mentality to a less restrictive environment,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

“The transition has created some anxiety for WDHS as I am sure it has for you too.

“The last few years (have) been tough on many people, thank you to all staff for the outstanding service and to our community and for the resilience you’ve shown in responding to changes throughout the pandemic,” he said.

All cases at the Coleraine Valley View Nursing Home have now recovered after experiencing only mild symptoms.