THE family of an 80-year-old care home resident who died after contracting coronavirus have spoken of how special she was.
Magdalene Mitchell was one of two patients transferred from Bradley Manor care home in Belfast to hospital after becoming ill with the virus last Thursday.
She died five days later.
Mrs Mitchell's granddaughter Jenny told BBC Radio Ulster she was "much loved" and that they wanted her to be named.
Management at the home said it was treating the situation "with the utmost seriousness" and had put a number of measures in place including taking all residents' temperatures at least twice daily as well as thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the premises.
The impact of the virus across vital community services continued to be felt yesterday with the closure of all adult day care services, including places for adults with learning disabilites.
The Health and Social Care Board said the move followed guidance regarding social distancing for vulnerable people.
Families of those affected took to social media to express their dismay, saying the service was a "lifeline" for vulnerable loved ones as well as providing important respite for carers.
A board spokeswoman added that "specific arrangements" will be made for those with "high care needs or are particularly vulnerable".
Meanwhile, infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon also confirmed that Disability Action Transport Services are to "significantly restrict" Dial-a-Lift services to "essential journeys only".
Ms Mallon said it was not a decision she had "taken lightly" but hoped it would protect the health and well-being of service users as well as staff and volunteers.
"In normal circumstances, community transport plays a very significant role in bringing people together and addressing social isolation in particular, for some of our most vulnerable friends and neighbours, but at this critical time, I have to take every step I can to protect the public," she said.
"I want the community transport operators to be able to contribute to wider efforts to support the vulnerable so I will maintain their funding through this unparalleled period and my officials are willing to enter into discussions with operators to establish what scope there is for them to support their members and wider society during these times.
"We are now in an extraordinary time and we must listen to the advice and guidance given on social distancing, helping shield those who may be most vulnerable to the virus. The advice is clear - stay at home to save lives."
