The first coronavirus death has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland
The number of positive cases in NI stands at 18
As of Wednesday afternoon, 246 people in NI have been tested
Some elective surgeries to be cancelled in preparation for surge in cases
In the Republic of Ireland, nine new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed, bringing the total there to 43
That's it for Wednesday's live coverage of how Northern Ireland is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.
Join us on Thursday for up-to-the-minute news, reaction and analysis of the ongoing situation.
Bye for now.
Image source, Getty ImagesNI's chief medical officer stresses there are "well-rehearsed plans" in place to tackle coronavirus.
Michael McBride says there are plans to "open up" other ventilators in other areas.
"We are planning at a UK level, how we flex up that capacity as far as we can."
Image source, Getty ImagesHe says it is important to allow time to develop a vaccine.
"The brightest and best scientists across the world are working day and night to develop a vaccine," he said.However, he added that, unfortunately, we are quite some time away - "many months, certainly not this year".
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Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Michael McBride, tells Stephen Nolan we are in that “in-between period”.
“We still remain in containment and as we go into the delay phase - that pulling down that peak - the messaging will change," he said.
“Very soon there will be key messages to older people – your mum or grandparents and advice for you in terms of supporting them.
"That isn’t advice for this week and probably not the next week," he adds.
The message the public health agency is trying to get out is #pulldownthatpeak
Stephen Nolan is wondering about older people during this outbreak. For example, can his mum continue to go to the bowls?
Should he let her get the bus or take her around in his car?
Dr Philip Veal from the PHA says it's important to remember we are in the containment phase.
“We have 18 cases in NI, all of which can be linked to travel elsewhere or contact with confirmed cases elsewhere," he says.
“Everybody can play a part in bringing the curve down - hand washing as often as possible.
“Cough or sneeze into a tissue and put the tissue in a bin – then wash your hands.
“If you doctor advises saying at home - do so.”
Phillip Veal from the Public Health Agency says it is not recommending any restrictions on public transport at this moment in time.
He was speaking during a special programme about coronavirus on BBC One NI's Top Table hosted by Stephen Nolan tonight.
Mr Veal explained: “For the infection to spread you need very close, prolonged contact for about 15 minutes. On short journeys that may not happen; you may not be sitting near to them.
“Also, individuals are only likely to be highly infectious when they are very, very symptomatic and unwell."
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The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has now reached 460, after the biggest rise in a single day.
It comes as two more people with the virus died in the UK, bringing the total to eight.
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Irish deputy prime minister Simon Coveney tweets:
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been updating MPs on the government's response.
He says 456 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK and eight people have died.
"We will do the right thing, at the right time," he said.
"I know how worrying this is. I know people have deep concerns. I know everyone will play their part in this national effort to defeat the virus"
Image source, House of Commons"The best way to beat it is for us to work together," he added.
"We will give the NHS whatever it needs."
Nipsa, which joined other trade unions in calling for safe staffing levels in the health service, says it has suspended "all action short of strike action" after it received assurances from the Department of Health "to allow discussions to progress safe staffing matters".
The union's health official, Maria Morgan, said: "This decision was also taken mindful of the public health emergency we all face."
She added: "We can now assure our membership that discussions and commitments given can allow us to engage in discussions that will deal specifically with our membership's concerns in relation to the high number of vacant posts, the delays in recruitment to posts, training, career progression and work life balance etc.”
Nine new cases have been identified in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the total to 43.
At a press conference on Wednesday evening, Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said none of the cases was community related.
"For each of the nine today, we have been able to identify the source of the infection," he said.
In new guidance, the Catholic Church says "anointments for confirmation and for sacrament of the sick will be done with surgical glove or cotton bud".
The celebration of mass will "continue as normal", however, those with underlying conditions or are "considered vulnerable" are "dispensed from their Sunday obligation to attend".
The church also says that Holy Communion will be "received in the hand until the current crisis has passed".
Image source, Getty ImagesOn funerals, the advice is that the "vulnerable" and those with underlying conditions should not attend and that there should be no handshakes amoung mourners.
The church says it acknowledges there will be "sacrifice for all", however, "we encourage a positive engagement in order that the most vulnerable amongst us can be protected and so that the coronavirus can be contained."
Image source, PA MediaUber will tell riders and drivers that it may temporarily suspend the accounts of anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus or has been exposed to it, the company said.
"We have a dedicated global team, guided by the advice of a consulting public health expert, working to respond in every market where we operate around the world," Uber said. "We've already helped drivers in some affected areas, and we're working to quickly implement this worldwide."
It said compensation would be available to drivers.
An emergency cut in interest rates has been announced by The Bank of England to shore up the economy amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Policymakers reduced rates from 0.75% to 0.25%, taking borrowing costs back down to the lowest level in history.
The Bank said it would also free up billions of pounds of extra lending power to help banks support firms.
Image source, EPAAn international crime fiction festival has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
NOIRELAND was due to take place in Belfast on Saturday 28 March.
Festival organisers said they had taken the difficult decision to postpone the festival until October to prioritise the health of it participants and audience members.
NOIRELAND will now take place on Saturday 10 October at the Clayton Hotel, Belfast.
How have priorities changed?
Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political reporter
It's two months exactly since the Northern Ireland Executive returned following a three-year hiatus.
At the time, their main challenge was settling back in to life on the hill and taking decisions stalled by the absence of devolution.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Covid-19 outbreak is not the only difficult issue facing the parties, but for now it is the most pressing one.
Stormont has set up its own contingency planning group in the event that the assembly could be temporarily closed, or that some MLAs are unable to get to Parliament Buildings for work, with video-conferencing just one option being discussed.
Health Minister Robin Swann tells BBC News NI the fact coronavirus has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation does not change the government's approach.
"That doesn't change how we approach things here in Northern Ireland at this moment in time," he says.
"The UK still remains at a moderate level, we remain in a containment phase."
Image source, Department for HealthHe adds that plans are in place as to how we move to the next phase in the future.
Image source, Getty ImagesHere are the headlines from Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland: