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Coronavirus: Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill in Mother's Day isolation warning

 Olive Trotman (76) is visited on Mother's Day by her son Mark Trotman.Olive suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, and is taking the precaution of communicating at a safe distance or through a glass window, to limit the potential spread of coronavirus. Picture by Jacob King/PA Wire
 Olive Trotman (76) is visited on Mother's Day by her son Mark Trotman.Olive suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, and is taking the precaution of communicating at a safe distance or through a glass window, to limit  Olive Trotman (76) is visited on Mother's Day by her son Mark Trotman.Olive suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, and is taking the precaution of communicating at a safe distance or through a glass window, to limit the potential spread of coronavirus. Picture by Jacob King/PA Wire

Stormont's first and deputy first ministers have urged people to stay apart on Mother's Day.

They praised those working on the front-line of the battle against Covid-19.

DUP leader Arlene Foster said it is normally a day when children of all ages say thank-you to their mothers, but this year things are "very different".

She also expressed gratitude to all those engaged today, and every day, in the service of others.

Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill said: "Everyone loves their mummy. I know that I do.

"And on Mother's Day, we normally make a big effort to spoil them and to spend time with them.

"This year we have to do it differently.

"This year we are asking you not to put your mummy or anyone else's mummy at risk.

"Please maintain the social distancing the Public Health Agency have asked you to do.

"Please follow that public health advice, help protect yourself and help protect others."

Meanwhile, the first minister said private hospitals will be approached to help in the battle against coronavirus.

She told the BBC's Sunday Politics show: "There are plans to make all private beds available, if they are able to assist."

The National Trust has closed its parks and gardens to help restrict the spread of infection.

Ulster Rugby has offered its Kingspan Stadium in Belfast for drive-through virus testing or other community services, chief executive Jonny Petrie said.

Ulster GAA and the Irish Football Association have offered the same at venues across the north.

But end-of-school parties and anti-social behaviour by young people are still being reported, despite what doctors believe is the impending catastrophe of coronavirus.

Students no longer in school after they were ordered to close risk passing the virus to more vulnerable groups like the elderly, so police urged party-goers to consider the wellbeing of others and follow official guidance.

The country recorded its biggest daily increase in cases on Saturday, and a senior Belfast doctor warned huge numbers of patients will die during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, a union leader said nurses need ramped-up testing for Covid-19 so they can return to patients' bedsides.

Health staff with symptoms are having to self-isolate for days.

The Royal College of Nursing also urged greater availability of personal protective kit.