PEOPLE have been warned not to relax their guard over the next two weeks when a surge of coronavirus cases is anticipated.
The first and deputy first ministers addressed a remote press conference last night where it was revealed there have been seven more Covid-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland.
The Public Health Agency said a total of 69 new cases had been detected over the previous 24 hours as it confirmed the latest deaths.
A total of 254 people were tested over the last day, bringing the overall number of tests to 8,740.
Overall totals in Northern Ireland 1,158 people have tested positive with 70 reported deaths.
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The surge of the virus is expected to arrive between now and April 20.
The death toll in the Republic has risen to 174, with 16 more deaths reported, the National Public Health emergency team said.
There have now been 5,364 confirmed cases in the Republic.
The Republic's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said 11 of the 16 deaths took place in the east, and five in the west of the state.
The number of hospital deaths in the UK reached 5,373 - an increase of 439 in a day, with 51,608 confirmed cases.
Medical experts said they believed the restrictions imposed by the government were working, but it was too early to tell when they might end.
Last night, Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill led their daily press conference remotely for the first time, appearing from their homes.
Mrs Foster described the next two weeks as "critical".
"It is essential in this period that we do not relax our guard, especially in the lead-up to and during the Easter period," she said.
Ms O'Neill said the executive would continue to reinforce the message that people must stay at home.
"This is not an Easter week holiday, or a time for people to be relaxing," she said.
"It is a time for people to follow the letter of the law, the advice they have been given to stay at home and try to stop the spread."
Meanwhile, ministers highlighted the contribution of colleges and universities.
This has included providing and creating personal protective equipment (PPE), joining the research for a vaccine and students volunteering and joining the health service workforce.
Other steps include donating alcohol from chemical supplies to be used for the manufacture of hand sanitiser, and staff and students volunteering their time.
Health Minister Robin Swann praised the contribution of medical and nursing students.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds also spoke about Ulster University making rooms available on its Magee campus in Derry for use by NHS workers who are unable to go home between shifts.
"Researchers from UU are carrying out important studies into the public health implications of Covid-19, including the mental health and social impacts of the virus," she added.
"Both institutions are also applying their engineering capability to use laser cutting and 3D printing technologies to design and produce PPE for both clinical and community use."
