Dr Ronan Glynn said that anyone exposed to Covid-19 over the Easter weekend will now be at their most infectious.
This comes as the incubation period for anyone who has come in contact with the virus over the Easter weekend, will have been incubating the virus for approximately six days.
It is this period that Dr Glynn warns is a highly infectious time where someone carrying the coronavirus can pass it on to other, vulnerable people.
People who begin to display symptoms are asked to isolate and contact their GP immediately to arrange a Covid-19 test.
Dr Glynn tweeted: “Over the past year the vast majority have consistently done all they could to protect themselves & their families from #COVID19.”
Dr Glynn re-iterated the list of steps people need to take to keep transmission of the virus low and prevent new cases:
1. Keep your contacts low & only meet up with others outdoors
2. Don't travel in cars with people from other households
3. Avoid crowds
4. If you have cold or 'flu-like symptoms please isolate and contact a GP to arrange a test - do not 'wait & see'.
5. For those who have been vaccinated remember you are not fully protected until 2 weeks after your second dose.
6. Encourage one another Thank you..
In a joint statement with NI Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride, the pair said: “Easter is a time when, traditionally, many of us spend time with our families and loved ones.
“Unfortunately, this Easter, we still have a very dangerous, very transmissible virus, circulating in our communities that continues to spread and cause serious illness and, sadly, death.
“We have already seen the clear bonus that vaccinations are bringing with cases and deaths in nursing homes and hospitals and cases amongst healthcare workers falling dramatically across the island.
“There are much brighter days ahead.
“If we can stick with these measures, we can avoid another wave and all of us, together, will be able to look back as a society, and reflect proudly on how we came together to protect each other and save lives.”
