Covid: Warning as 17 places visited by new Isle of Man cases

Twenty-five people have died after contracting the virus since the start of the pandemic

People infected with Covid-19 in a new cluster emerging on the Isle of Man visited 17 places earlier this week, including a restaurant, a beauty salon and a sport club.

Twelve new cases have been identified just over two weeks since the island exited its last lockdown.

The cluster stems from a member of the island's ferry crew.

Anyone who visited the below venues at certain times has been asked to isolate if they develop symptoms.

A "small number" of pupils who attended Ballakermeen High School on 12 February were now self-isolating following the contact tracing process, a government spokesman said.

The number 31 school bus on the day has also been identified as a relevant location he added.

'Remain vigilant'

Five of the 12 new cases emerged earlier on Friday.

Places of concern on Monday are:

• WH Smith, in Strand Street, Douglas, between 09:45 and 10:15 GMT

• Boots, in Strand Street, Douglas, between 09:45 and 10:15

• TK Maxx, in Strand Street, Douglas, between 09:45 and 10:15

• Newsbeat, in the Isle of Man Business Park, Braddan, between 12:15 and 12:3

• Barbary Coast, on North Quay, Douglas, between 12:30 and 14:00

• McDonald's, in Peel Road, Douglas, between 16:15 and 17:15

On Tuesday, the following places were visited:

• Isle of Play, on Lester's Yard, Douglas, between 10:00 and 13:00

• Java Express Coffee Shop & Noodle Bar, on Prospect Hill, Douglas, between 12:30 and 13:30

• Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence, in Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, between 20:00 and 20:20

Places of concern on Wednesday were:

• Carrefour Health Club, in Wellington Street, Douglas between 12:30 and 13:30

• The Juice Bar, in Victoria Street, Douglas between 13:45 and 13:50

• McDonalds, on Peel Road, Douglas between 19:15 and 19:30

• Elements of Beauty, in Avondale Road, between 10:00 and 12:00

Venues at risk on Thursday were:

• Manx Fun Farm, on Whitebridge Road, Onchan between 11:45 and 15:00

In addition, the Wonderland Room at the Exit Strategy games facility between 16:30 on Wednesday and 16:00 on Friday is also an area of concern.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said no new restrictions would be brought in at the present time due to the small number of positive test results and the "absence of unexpected cases not linked to this cluster''.

The Council of Ministers would continue to monitor the situation closely, he added.

Director of public health Henrietta Ewart said the community "must remain vigilant".

Anyone who does show symptoms should contact the 111 helpline to arrange to be tested.

A total of 449 people have tested positive for the virus since the start of the pandemic, and 25 people have died.