Northern Ireland's commitment to having a programme of virus surveillance in wastewater in place next month has been welcomed by the Alliance Party.

The party's Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw said: "I welcome the very clear commitment to ensuring Northern Ireland's participation in COVID-19 surveillance in wastewater after a successful trial in the English city of Plymouth.

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"It is good news that funding is now secure for a virus monitoring programme in Northern Ireland and that it will be in place this year.

"With Northern Ireland still at the upper end of coronavirus cases in the UK and Ireland, it is essential we use every means of surveillance we can to identify where the prime risks and dangers lie. The programme has my full support."