Earlier today, the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis met Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill to discuss the measures being taken to tackle coronavirus in NI.

He said he will "continue to work closely" with the Executive on the matter.

No surprise here, but another major event has put on ice.

We're sharing this video from our colleagues in Yorkshire as the message is just as resonant here.

Earlier, a Stormont committee heard from food officials who said there was "no risk of a food shortage" and that shelves should be restocked once the bulk buying ends.

Fresh off his latest update on education measures, including the cancellation of exams, Peter Weir has been on social media underlining the need for unity in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're just catching up with our live page, here's a recap of the major latest news from today:

• The first coronavirus-related death in Northern Ireland has been confirmed. The elderly man, who had an underlying health condition was being treated in a hospital in the greater Belfast area

• Health officials have projected a worst-case scenario of 14,000 deaths if 80% of the population contract coronavirus

• Health Minister Robin Swann said testing capacity for the virus would be expanded to about 800 Covid-19 tests per day, while additional ventilators have been ordered and there are plans to increase the number of critical care beds
• A-level and GCSE exams in Northern Ireland will not go ahead this summer, but pupils will still get results, Education Minister Peter Weir has said
• Belfast City Council announced that the chapel at Roselawn crematorium will close from Monday
• O'Neills Sportswear announces it is temporarily laying off 750 staff and suspending operations at its base in County Tyrone

Earlier, Robin Swann warned of 9,000 deaths in Northern Ireland if people do not follow public heath advice to stop coronavirus' spread.

But BBC News NI's health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly tells BBC Newsline that health officials have projected a worst case scenario of 14,000 deaths if 80% of the population contract the virus.

Again - that's a worst case. And does not take into account the possible positive effect of measures such as social distancing and regular hand washing.

A third death from Covid-19 has been reported in Ireland.

The number of confirmed cases has risen by 191, bringing the total to 557, according to the Department of Health.

There has been an increase in coronavirus testing after the National Public Health Emergency Team changed the threshold for testing last Friday.

As reported earlier in the page, childcare providers such as creches and daycares look set to stay open - but an organisation that helps parents find childcare provision says there is still a lot of confusion.

With schools closing, one of the major questions that remains unclear is what will happen to private childcare places and creches? Will they close too?

No, says the Department of Health, or at least not yet - in a statement, the department says daycare provision will not close from next Monday along with schools.

Image source, Getty Images

"This will not negate the benefit gained from school closures. Guidance for all setting will issue imminently."

Bereaved families will no longer be able to attend services at Northern Ireland's only crematorium.

Belfast City Council says it was closing the chapel and other facilities at Roselawn Crematorium to the public on 23 March.

Cremations will be carried out but no family can be in attendance, the council said in a statement.

"We are working with funeral directors, undertakers and faith groups to ensure that bereaved families are aware of these new measures and are given support at this incredibly difficult time.

"We understand that families may wish to make alternative arrangements to hold a service or ceremony elsewhere," the council says.

The council added burials are still taking place but mourners are asked to "consider public health advice around social distancing".

The UK is "entering a period of great concern and uncertainty" - that's according to a public message issue by the Queen.

The statement was issued by Buckingham Palace after she began her Easter break earlier than planned.

Image source, Reuters

Her message say that the nation's history "has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal".

She adds that "we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals".

“I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part.”

In Downing Street’s latest daily televised press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the country for its "huge efforts" to comply with the government's advice.

Mr Johnson says "we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks", adding: "I'm absolutely confident we can send the virus packing in this country."

He was joined once again by the UK’s chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, and chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance.

Back to that press conference a little earlier and Stormont - according to Health Minister Robin Swann the scale of the Covid-19 surge coming towards us is of "biblical proportions".

"The health service is already unrecognisable before our very eyes," he says.

Speaking during the daily coronavirus briefing he outlined new plans to deal with the pandemic, including "building workforce capacity".

"I have confirmed that third-year nursing and midwifery students within the last six months of qualifying will be redeployed to clinical care," he says.

Image source, Getty Images

The minister says the redeployment will take place in the next 10-14 days and will provide support of up to 880 senior nursing students.

About 230 final year medical students are also to join the medical register four months early, becoming immediately available to assist medical teams across Northern Ireland's hospitals.

Mr Swann also said he would be increasing the capacity for testing patients for the virus to 800 per day "in the first instance".

"I know there’s a wider demand for mass testing in the community and I can see the argument, but my first priority has to be caring for the patients and frontline staff."

More now on the news that O'Neills Sportswear will be closing temporarily, with the Mayor of Derry and Strabane calling it "hugely sad news".

Michaela Boyle says the decision to close was "not an easy one" for managing director Kieran Kennedy to make.

"But I think it’s the right one and we will hopefully see the business up and running again in the near future,” she said.

The Strabane-based firm announced on Thursday it'll be temporarily laying-off 750 people.

Image source, Alamy

Play parks in Londonderry and Strabane are to shut to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Derry City and Strabane District Council says it will phase in the closure of all council-owned play parks from today.

Public parks and cemeteries will remain open, a council spokeswoman says.

GCSE, AS and A-level exams will not go ahead this summer, the education minster says,

However Peter Weir gave a guarantee that "people would continue to receive examination results".

Image source, Getty Images

"The plan is to use a combination of prior achievements, internal assessed tracking information, predicted grades, analysis and modelling of assisted trends to provide the necessary assurance of the accuracy and robustness of the grades being awarded," he said.

He said his priority was to ensure pupils receive "fair and equitable" results which reflect hard work.

The grades would "enable judgements to be made about further study, employment or other avenues," he added.

After the education minister, came Health Minister Robin Swann - he outlined the latest developments in tackling the outbreak, but also issued a warning on the number of deaths that could happen in Northern Ireland if people do not do everything to stop the virus' spread.

Education Minister Peter Weir confirms exams will not happen but that exam results will be given out - he says officials are looking at developing a "fair system" that will allow admissions to further and higher education to continue.