AN "alarming rise of infections" over the weekend will see the Executive discuss further lockdown measures today in an attempt to suppress Covid-19.
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers and the health minister will also take part in a meeting of the UK's emergency Cobra committee later, according to the BBC.
There were 1,066 new cases in 24 hours reported by the Department of Health yesterday, with one further death - the second highest daily number after 1,080 positive cases were recorded on Friday.
While it’s my understanding that a circuit break is very much on the agenda and in the planning @DUPleader is saying it isn’t inevitable https://t.co/4URrSHXxTw
— Allison Morris (@AllisonMorris1) October 12, 2020
With latest figures showing 5,909 people have tested positive over the last seven days there are now 137 inpatients with Covid-19 in hospitals, with 19 in intensive care.
South Down MP Chris Hazzard said it was an "alarming rise" and has been "focusing minds" of ministers around the Executive table.
The Sinn Féin representative told the BBC he believes the issue of lockdowns would be examined by ministers today, with `collective action' essential this week.
"I think there was a logic and a sense to local lockdowns at a time but I think we are now moving into an area where we need to be looking at a more general lockdown once again," he said.
"More general rigorous and robust methods of being able to suppress this virus."
Mr Hazzard told the Sunday Politics programme health is the priority as "there is no strong economy without strong public health".
In the Republic a further two deaths related to Covid-19 were announced and, as of midnight Saturday, 814 confirmed cases - a total of 42,528.
As of 2pm on Sunday, after 16 additional admissions in 24 hours, there were 204 coronavirus patients on hospital. Thirty are in ICU.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said it is "vital that the entire population consistently implement public health advice into their daily lives; keep your social contacts to an absolute minimum and keep physical distance when you need to be out of your home".
He said 22 out of 26 counties have seven day incidence rates above 50 per cent of the 14 day totals.
"This shows rapidly increasing growth rates across the country."
Across the UK, the R number - average number of people each infected person passes the virus to - is now estimated to be between 1.2 and 1.5, with 12,872 people reported to have tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, with a further 65 deaths.
That figure is 2,294 fewer than on Saturday when there were 81 deaths.
England's deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van-Tam warned the country has reached "tipping point" in its epidemic, similar March, but this time the seasons re "against us" and the country was running into a "headwind" ahead of the winter months, he warned.
