| Dear reader, The north west of Northern Ireland seems to be bearing the brunt of the coronavirus at the minute. We were already aware that a spiralling number of cases in Co Donegal had led to the chief medical officers in Northern Ireland and the Republic advising against all but essential travel across the border. The start of this week has seen a number of businesses in the north west become impacted by the virus. The award-winning Bishop’s Gate Hotel in the centre of Londonderry has had to shut its doors temporarily after three staff members tested positive for Covid-19. The hotel is expected to reopen again on Wednesday. In a statement on Monday, Derry City and Strabane Council admitted there has been an infection spike in the area. The north west was less affected by Covid-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in the spring but seems to be faring this time around. The Department of Health announced on Monday that there have been no more Covid-19 deaths in Northern Ireland. However, 220 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the last 24-hour period.
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