Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: One further death in Northern Ireland

Another patient has died after contracting Covid-19
Another patient has died after contracting Covid-19 Another patient has died after contracting Covid-19

One more person in the north has died after contracting Covid-19, according to figures from the Department of Health's daily update.

The total number of people who have died from Covid-19 now stands at 547, according to the department.

There were two new coronavirus cases confirmed in the last 24 hours, meaning the total recorded by laboratories across the north since the outbreak began is 4,873.

Across the north, 853 individuals were tested.

Two patients with Covid-19 are currently occupying an intensive care bed in the north, while there are 44 confirmed outbreaks of coronavirus in care homes. 11 outbreaks have been closed.

The figures were released after Economy Minister Diane Dodds said she is seeking a formal review of social distancing measures.

Yesterday, British prime minister Boris Johnson said people should remain two metres apart where possible but a "one metre-plus" rule will be introduced in England.

Mr Johnson said people would be encouraged to use "mitigation" - such as face coverings and not sitting face-to-face - when within two metres of each other and "where it is possible to keep two metres apart, people should".

Mr Johnson acknowledged that the two-metre rule "effectively makes life impossible for large parts of our economy".

Diane Dodds said she had made no secret of advocating on behalf of the tourism industry.

"At one metre our restaurants and hotels, our coffee shops, are more viable than at two metres social distance.

"I wrote to my executive colleagues and indicated that we should formally review that social distancing advice."

Earlier today, Education Minister Peter Weir said contingency plans to reopen schools in the north could change if the number of Covid-19 cases continues to decline.