Government guidelines say that one of the "reasonable excuses" for leaving the house is exercise, once a day.

The Department of Infrastructure is reminding us that when out for a walk or run to make sure you stay two metres away from those not in your household.

The below linear graph shows the rises in confirmed positive cases for coronavirus in NI since 27 February.

It also shows the rise in deaths since March.

The below table shows the number of Covid-19 cases in each council area in Northern Ireland.

As you can see Belfast has 649, Lisburn and Castlereagh has 221 while the area with the lowest number is Fermanagh and Omagh with 61.

To date the number of laboratory confirmed Covid-19 cases is 2,088.

The cumulative number of reported deaths associated with Covid-19 is 140 and the number of individuals tested is 13,672.

Another six people diagnosed with coronavirus have died in hospital in Northern Ireland.

That brings the number of hospital deaths in NI to 140.

A further 121 new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total positive cases to 2,088.

The figures are correct as of 11:00 BST on Wednesday.

Mark Simpson
BBC News NI

It's one of the major questioned being asked - what would an end to lockdown look like?

A medical expert from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland says a phased lifting of lockdown restrictions is possible in the near future - but only when better detection measures around Covid-19 are introduced.

He says mobile phone data, including GPS and Bluetooth information, should be used to help map the recent movements of those who have been diagnosed with the virus.

Image source, Getty Images

In the first phase of a relaxation, creches and primary schools could re-open, and golf might be able to resume, as long as social-distancing guidelines are adhered to, and clubhouses and changing rooms remain closed.

He says churches could also start to re-open with every second seat closed and people sitting three metres away from each other; there could be music events in a big auditorium that is essentially a third full and the construction industry could gradually return to work with different types of workers operating at different times.

“To defeat this thing we need an all-island approach. That involves co-ordinating public policy," he adds.

Louise Cullen
BBC News NI

Coroner Joe McCrisken tells BBC News NI that, considering the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic, Northern Ireland is "coping well under extremely difficult circumstances".

Fifteen Covid-19-related deaths have been reported to the NI Coroner's office. Part of Mr McCrisken's role is to observe and investigate certain deaths.

He will also want to learn from the pandemic in order to offer advise on future preparations.

In order to do that, Mr McCrisken says his office will require as much information as possible through testing across "as many different groups of people as possible".

He says increased testing is needed "to provide clarity and a better understanding" of how coronavirus is affecting life in NI.

Two jet skiers have fallen foul of the authorities after attempting to stretch the government's guidelines on exercise to include the watersport.

Assisting the PSNI, the Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team located the two jet skiers at Millisle.

Fines were issued by police after taking advice from the coastguard.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood says doctors have told him they're concerned that people are remaining at home when they need treatment for serious non-coronona virus health issues.

“While lockdown continues, it’s important that people with serious conditions go to hospital if their condition deteriorates or they experience severe symptoms," Mr Eastwood says.

Image source, Getty Images

"I’ve received specific concerns from cardiologists who estimate that they have seen a reduction of up to 70% in patients presenting with symptoms since the start of lockdown.

"I’m appealing to people, if you experience chest pains, shortness of breath, palpitations or blackouts, please seek medical attention through dedicated trust contact lines, out of hours services or in an emergency A&E."

A new clinical trial led by Queen's University Belfast and the University of Warwick is seeking to find alternatives to ventilators to treat patients who are critically ill with Covid-19.

Researchers want to recruit about 4,000 for the RECOVERY-RS Respiratory Support trial.

It will compare standard care, intubation and invasive ventilation for critically-ill patients, with other non-invasive treatment methods including masks driven by oxygen or high-flow oxygen through the nose.

Image source, Getty Images

The study is based on the theory that non-invasive interventions at an earlier stage may reduce the need for invasive ventilation with a mechanical ventilator.

The chance to join the trial will be offered to adults who are inpatients in NHS hospitals with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.

A quarter of Scottish deaths linked to coronavirus have occurred in care homes, new figures have suggested.

The National Records of Scotland said 962 deaths had now been registered in Scotland where the virus was mentioned on the death certificate.

The majority of these deaths occurred in hospital, but 25% were in care homes and 13% in other settings.

In the week from 6 to 12 April, the virus was mentioned in 31% of all deaths registered in Scotland.

Read more

Image source, Getty Images

Patrick Mulholland, from Nipsa, adds praise for the public's support for supporting the care home system, but says they need to "raise hell" to defend the health service and care homes.

"We need to make sure that older people in society have a voice. If we all take collective action, we can force the government to take action."

Image source, Getty Images

He says it's "not news that the majority of deaths are happening in care homes".

"It happened in Italy, it happened in Spain and the government were aware of it."

The NI Assembly need to "leave aside sectarian bickering" in the interests of the care sector, he adds.

Patrick Mulholland, of the Nipsa (Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance), tells Radio Ulster's Talkback programme that healthcare staff are "very worried" they could end up being victims of coronavirus and that the government are failing care home residents and staff.

"Throughout this last number of months, central government has had to be pushed at every point, they delayed the lockdown and were forced into it.

"They have not taken the issue of vulnerable in care homes seriously. The idea that workers in a care home should have basic PPE isn't complex."

Image source, Getty Images

He praises the "heroic efforts" of front-line workers, adding: "Off the back of this, we might begin to recognise that them being treated with dignity and respect is vitally important".

Mr Mulholland said the Nipsa union are "practically having to kick in doors to get people to listen to us".

Cricket Ireland has become the latest local sporting organisation to cut back in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

It has announced a 20% salary reduction for non-playing staff because of the coronavirus crisis, while employees in Northern Ireland will be furloughed.

The pay cut applies to April and May while chief executive Warren Deutrom will take an additional 5% reduction in salary for the remainder of 2020.

Image source, Inpho

"Prudent measures were needed to buffer the organisation through at least the next two months," Warren Deutrom says.

Contracted players are not impacted by the staff pay reductions.

Read more.

Continuing on the programme, Pauline Shepherd of Independent Health and Care Providers says care homes are finding it "very difficult" to manage cases of Covid-19 "where there are staff shortages".

"It takes up a higher staff ratio because you're obviously trying to isolate people, you're trying to distance people."

She says workforce levels are improving, however, due to increased testing which has allowed many people to return from self-isolation.

Image source, Getty Images

"Testing of staff at the SSE Arena and that being rolled out will help and we did see the first weekend that the testing was done that got a lot of people back to work.

"We need to see that continue.

"I think there will be further reassurance with people having the proper PPE (personal protective equipment) and that reduces the element of fear."

An organisation that represents care providers says it had to "jump up and down" to get movement on personal protective equipment (PPE) and Covid-19 testing for staff and residents.

Pauline Shepherd, of Independent Health and Care Providers, tells Talkback "we are now seeing that come through".

Image source, Getty Images

"Things have been slow to take off in terms of PPE, but the staff are working extremely hard in very, very difficult circumstances.

"They are doing a remarkable job," she says.

She says staff are worried about transfering the virus to their families and to residents "who become like family members".

Only 12% of businesses remain physically open with 43% of businesses closed and not trading at all, according to a survey conducted by four of Northern Ireland's local chambers of commerce.

Slightly over a third of businesses have their staff working from home, the survey has revealed.

The survey of 250 business from a wide range of sectors was carried out by Belfast Chamber, Causeway Chamber, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade.

Image source, Getty Images

Headline results from the survey include:

• 80% of businesses planning to use the government’s Job Retention Scheme with nearly six out of 10 employees (58% in those businesses being furloughed;
• The sectors furloughing most workers are retail, charities/social enterprises, hospitality and tourism, and business administration and support;
• Less than half of businesses eligible for the NI executive’s Grant Schemes with only 47% of those eligible for the £10,000 grant having received their payment;
• Fewer than 1 in 5 businesses (16%) have applied for a government backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan.

Eimear Flanagan
BBC News NI

Image source, Getty Images

The release of official figures on coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland is set to change later this week, amid concerns about how care home deaths are being reported.

It follows calls for greater transparency over the number of people who are dying in cares home after contracting Covid-19.

BBC News NI assesses how death statistics are being reported at present, what is about to change and why.

Read more here.

With many now remaining indoors and using less public transport, Translink's Easibus service has now been transformed into a home delivery service in north and east Belfast.

The buses, during the pandemic, are providing essential groceries and medical supplies directly to passengers choosing to self-isolate.

John Bonham. Keith Moon. Buddy Rich. Owain Wyn Evans?

One of those names may not be familiar to drumming fans but Owain, whose day job is presenting the weather for BBC North West, has thrown his sticks into the ring with the video below.

The BBC News theme has been remixed, chopped, TikTok'd and choreographed plenty in the last few weeks - but this effort is something else.

Could our Barra Best beat those beats? Unfortunately don't expect him behind a kit any time soon.

With all this focus on coronavirus, it's easy to forget that all the usual illnesses are still lurking - and this can be a particular problem for parents.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has stressed that help and support is still available for any childhood illness and that parents should "trust their instinct".

Image source, Getty Images

The number of children attending GP surgeries and hospital emergency departments has been lower than normal in recent weeks.

Dr McClean said that while many children will be receiving appropriate care and treatment at home, the PHA "do not want parents to be put off bringing their children for medical attention because they are concerned about overloading the service or afraid that their child may come into contact with Covid-19 in a healthcare setting".

While children can become sick as a result of coronavirus, worldwide research indicates that most will not become seriously unwell if they contract the illness.