Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has tested positive for Covid-19 just days before he was due to hold his first party conference as the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “I have tested positive for Covid and will be at home recovering for the next few days. I continue to attend to Ministerial business as much as possible.”
Mr Nesbitt was formally ratified as the new Ulster Unionist Party leader on 14 September following Doug Beattie’s resignation this summer.
He also took over from Robin Swann as Stormont’s Health Minister after the latter was elected South Antrim’s MP in July.
This Ulster Unionist Party is due to hold its 2024 conference this weekend at the Crowne Plaza Belfast.
A spokesperson for the Ulster Unionist Party told the Belfast Telegraph: “At this stage, it is expected Mr Nesbitt will be okay to attend the conference. However if this changes, an update will be provided accordingly.”
According to current NHS guidance, those who test positive for Covid-19 are advised to “try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults”.
They also advise those who have tested positive to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over. The NHS also advises against coming into contact any one who is seriously ill.
However, you no longer have to self-isolate after testing positive and routine testing is not recommended.
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Earlier this week, health officials warned of a new Covid variant coined ‘XEC’, which has begun to spread in the UK.
Dr Louise Herron, deputy director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed that the variant has not been detected in Northern Ireland yet.
“The latest published data, detailed in the Covid-19 Epidemiological Bulletin for Northern Ireland contain information on detections of variants and are published weekly,” she said.
Last week, Mr Nesbitt said he did not support forced vaccinations in Northern Ireland following controversy over new legislation set to come before the Assembly.
The Public Health Bill has sparked debate particularly around vaccinations, with concerns stemming from references to vaccination policies.
The bill does not explicitly mandate compulsory vaccination and states that regulations must allow exemptions from vaccination and include provisions about how someone can show that exemption.
“There has been significant public interest in the consultation. As we seek to replace outdated legislation, it is important that we consider all options,” he said.
“I am not in favour of mandatory vaccination even in limited and tightly prescribed circumstances.”
The winter vaccine roll out is set to begin in Northern Ireland on the 7 October.