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06/12/2022
Other News In Brief
SDLP Urge Vigilance Following Spike In Strep A Cases
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has urged families to be 'vigilant' after a spike in cases of Strep A.
A five-year-old girl has died after contracting the infection, while schools have reported their pupils being diagnosed with the illness.
Mr McGrath said there was no need for alarm, but it was important that parents recognised signs of the illness and seek treatment for their child at the first opportunity.
South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: "Following reports of a spike in Strep A and scarlet fever cases in the North and the tragic death of a five-year-old girl from the illness I would urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and to know the signs to look out for. While there is no need for undue alarm, symptoms included a high fever and severe muscle aches could signify your child has contracted Strep A and it’s important children receive treatment as soon as possible, even as a precaution.
"Emerging from the coronavirus pandemic this situation will justifiably concern many parents, and it’s important that we see leadership from the Department of Health to provide reassurance, a proper awareness campaign around this illness and to ensure that any child who needs medical attention can receive it in a timely manner.
"I understand this is the only part of these islands where Strep A doesn't need to be reported to the relevant health authorities and I will be following that up and ensuring that no further precautions are needed to keep children safe."
People Cannot Wait Any Longer For Support – SF
People cannot wait any longer for support with their heating bills as the cold winter begins to bite, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said.
Speaking after firmus announced gas prices will go down from the beginning of January, the party's economy spokesperson said:
"After numerous hikes which have put prices through the roof, news that prices will go down in January will bring some measure of relief to households supplied by Firmus.
"However, that is cold comfort to the two thirds of families in the north who rely on oil and have received no support at all to heat their homes.
"People in Britain have been receiving support since October but so far not a penny of the £600 energy support scheme for households in the north has been paid despite DUP promises that it would be paid by November.
"In fact the DUP's boycott of the Executive prevented any of this money getting out the door and the only certainty people have now is that they won't get this money by Christmas.
"Tomorrow the Assembly will be recalled in another effort to form an Executive and put ministers in place to get this £600 energy payment into people's pockets as quickly as possible.
"It is an opportunity for the DUP to get off their hands and to stop blocking all of us from working for the people we represent.
"Enough is enough. People cannot wait any longer, they need support now as the cold winter begins to bite. They deserve an Executive that will work in their interests."
Online Anonymity Must Be Tackled – Lockhart
Online anonymity remains the core issue to be tackled at the heart of social media abuse, DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said.
Lockhart was speaking ahead of the Online Safety Bill being debated once again in the House of Commons.
The DUP MP said: "This Bill has been through a huge amount of scrutiny and has undergone significant amendment since it was first brought forward. The core issue of online anonymity however remains outstanding.
"The Government's decision to remove the proposed offence of harmful communications. This is not to say such behaviour doesn't exist or that we should do nothing about it. However, it is difficult to tackle behaviour and content which is deemed harmful but not criminal. One way this area, and others could be addressed and improved however would be by looking at the issue of online anonymity and identity verification of those opening accounts.
"If the identity behind an account was known to the platform then taking action against harmful content obviously becomes easier and more direct. People who have been repeatedly targeted by trolling and other abuse deserve to know that it is being taken seriously. Whilst proposals in the Online Safety Bill make some progress, the core of the problem remains untouched."
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has urged families to be 'vigilant' after a spike in cases of Strep A.
A five-year-old girl has died after contracting the infection, while schools have reported their pupils being diagnosed with the illness.
Mr McGrath said there was no need for alarm, but it was important that parents recognised signs of the illness and seek treatment for their child at the first opportunity.
South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: "Following reports of a spike in Strep A and scarlet fever cases in the North and the tragic death of a five-year-old girl from the illness I would urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant and to know the signs to look out for. While there is no need for undue alarm, symptoms included a high fever and severe muscle aches could signify your child has contracted Strep A and it’s important children receive treatment as soon as possible, even as a precaution.
"Emerging from the coronavirus pandemic this situation will justifiably concern many parents, and it’s important that we see leadership from the Department of Health to provide reassurance, a proper awareness campaign around this illness and to ensure that any child who needs medical attention can receive it in a timely manner.
"I understand this is the only part of these islands where Strep A doesn't need to be reported to the relevant health authorities and I will be following that up and ensuring that no further precautions are needed to keep children safe."
People Cannot Wait Any Longer For Support – SF
People cannot wait any longer for support with their heating bills as the cold winter begins to bite, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said.
Speaking after firmus announced gas prices will go down from the beginning of January, the party's economy spokesperson said:
"After numerous hikes which have put prices through the roof, news that prices will go down in January will bring some measure of relief to households supplied by Firmus.
"However, that is cold comfort to the two thirds of families in the north who rely on oil and have received no support at all to heat their homes.
"People in Britain have been receiving support since October but so far not a penny of the £600 energy support scheme for households in the north has been paid despite DUP promises that it would be paid by November.
"In fact the DUP's boycott of the Executive prevented any of this money getting out the door and the only certainty people have now is that they won't get this money by Christmas.
"Tomorrow the Assembly will be recalled in another effort to form an Executive and put ministers in place to get this £600 energy payment into people's pockets as quickly as possible.
"It is an opportunity for the DUP to get off their hands and to stop blocking all of us from working for the people we represent.
"Enough is enough. People cannot wait any longer, they need support now as the cold winter begins to bite. They deserve an Executive that will work in their interests."
Online Anonymity Must Be Tackled – Lockhart
Online anonymity remains the core issue to be tackled at the heart of social media abuse, DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said.
Lockhart was speaking ahead of the Online Safety Bill being debated once again in the House of Commons.
The DUP MP said: "This Bill has been through a huge amount of scrutiny and has undergone significant amendment since it was first brought forward. The core issue of online anonymity however remains outstanding.
"The Government's decision to remove the proposed offence of harmful communications. This is not to say such behaviour doesn't exist or that we should do nothing about it. However, it is difficult to tackle behaviour and content which is deemed harmful but not criminal. One way this area, and others could be addressed and improved however would be by looking at the issue of online anonymity and identity verification of those opening accounts.
"If the identity behind an account was known to the platform then taking action against harmful content obviously becomes easier and more direct. People who have been repeatedly targeted by trolling and other abuse deserve to know that it is being taken seriously. Whilst proposals in the Online Safety Bill make some progress, the core of the problem remains untouched."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
