The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to keep safe at Hallowe’en by coming up with new ways to have fun which stick to guidance around staying safe from contracting and spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus) within our families and communities. In recent weeks there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in Northern Ireland and additional restrictions have been introduced to limit the spread of the virus. It is important that every one of us sticks to these, and to public health guidance generally, so we can have fun safely. Dr Gerry Waldron, Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said:

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant the worldwide demand for the seasonal flu vaccine has been exceptionally high, including in Northern Ireland. This will lead to a temporary pause on some aspects of the seasonal flu programme until further stock becomes available next month. Dr Gerry Waldron, Head of Health Protection at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “Demand for the flu vaccine this year has been phenomenal, and we are pleased that people have acted on the call to get it to help protect themselves and their loved ones. Flu alone can be a dangerous illness, but with coronavirus also in

A Public Health Agency (PHA) workplace health and wellbeing service, which has been supporting workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic, has been officially launched by the Health Minister Robin Swann. ‘Work Well Live Well’ initially began on 1 March 2020 in order to support businesses to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of employees within the workplace. However, with the beginning of lockdown and most businesses requiring employees to work from home, the service adapted to meet the new and diverse needs of these organisations. Supporting the initiative Health Minister Robin Swann

The Contact Tracing Service (CTS) is today taking a major step forward, moving to a ‘digital first’ model which will provide online self-service contact tracing for the majority of people who test positive. This innovative system will contact people with a positive test result by text message and provide them with a personal code which they can use at a dedicated website to input details of people with whom they were in recent close proximity. The identity of people using this service will be protected and will not be shared with those whose contact details they have provided. The information