With it being two years since the beginning of lockdown in Northern Ireland due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the latest figures from the Department of Health show the virus is still very much here despite the relaxation of restrictions. 

This time two years ago, the message was to stay at home to protect each other and the health service.

However, two years on with positive cases remaining high, the pressure on the health service continues to be felt.

At the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), on Monday the Emergency Department was very busy as people with minor injuries were advised to go to Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex.

Admissions due to the virus at the SWAH have risen by two in the last week to 38 as the hospital operates 13.95 per cent over its bed occupancy according to Wednesday’s data from the Department.

In terms of positive cases in the local council area, there were 193 recorded in the last 24 hours as part of the 2,269 recorded across Northern Ireland. It brings the total number of positive cases locally at 40,427. Across Fermanagh’s postal districts, from March 16-22, there have been 619 positive cases recorded - BT74 had 176; BT92 had 225; BT93 had 85 and BT94 had 133.

With 1,031 positive cases in the last week, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area had one of the highest seven day case rates in Northern Ireland at 879, just below Ards and North Down (891).

There were three deaths recorded in Fermanagh and Omagh in the last seven days according to Wednesday’s report with the death toll rising from 145 to 148.

The total death toll in Northern Ireland stands at 3,285 as three deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.