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Coronavirus: Eight more deaths in Northern Ireland

The number of people who have died in Northern Ireland after contracting coronavirus has risen by eight to 56, health officials said.

Testing has resulted in 94 new positive cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the region to 998 bringing the total to  8034.

Across the UK, a total of 4,313 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus as of 5pm on Friday, the Department of Health said, up from 3,605 the day before.

A five-year-old child is among 637 people who tested positive for Covid-19 and have died in England, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 3,939, NHS England said.

The oldest patient was 104, and 40 had no known underlying conditions, aged between 48 and 93. Their families have been informed.

Today’s figures from the British Department of Health show that the number of new people tested daily in the UK for coronavirus has slipped back below 10,000.

A total of 9,406 new people were reported as being tested in the 24 hours to 9am April 4.

For the previous two days, the equivalent figure was above 10,000.

The total number of people in the UK tested since the outbreak began is now 183,190.

Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has introduced a new protocol in response to the expected coronavirus surge which will see crew calls prioritised.

In a statement, the NIAS said the plans will ensure its crew are “best placed to respond to the most clinically urgent calls during that period”.

A new level of escalation will include a specific Covid-19 protocol to categorise 999 calls.

It will involve specific questioning of patients for coronavirus symptoms so crews can prepare with the appropriate personal protective equipment.