Number of Covid-19-related deaths reported by the PHA rises by nine in past 24 hours to 216
Republic of Ireland bans mass events until autumn, as it confirms 44 more coronavirus-linked deaths, bringing its total to 730
Senior doctor says A&E attendances have fallen by more than half
Political parties are split over calls to reopen cemeteries to the public
Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
Image source, Getty ImagesFace masks can help stop the spread of coronavirus, in the right circumstances.
As the government's scientific advisers discuss whether the public should be urged to wear masks, what is the evidence about how useful they are?
Read more on this story here.
A further 44 people who had tested positive for Covid-19 have died in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the country's total to 730.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says there have been another 388 confirmed cases of the virus - 16,040 overall.
Image source, RTEHe added that 427 of the deaths happened in nursing homes.
There are currently 156 patients in intensive care being treated for Covid-19.
105 patients have been discharged from ICU.
The curve for incidents of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland is flattening and we could soon be on the downward slope, Northern Ireland's chief scientific advisor has said.
Speaking on Evening Extra, Prof Ian Young said if people stick to social distancing, the number of cases could fall by the end of the May.
Prof Young said all the evidence suggests that social distancing has been effective and should mean a drop in hospital admissions.
Deaths may rise initially in the next week or so, but then should fall.
Image source, Getty Images"We expect the number of cases and impacts may fall to a low level by the middle of May," he said.
But that depends on people sticking to the social distancing rules, he stressed.
And he added that the threat posed by coronavirus remains.
"Until we have a high level of population immunity, Covid is going to remain a recurrent and ongoing problem for us all," he said.
Julian O'Neill
BBC News NI Home Affairs Correspondent
The PSNI’s website has been getting more than 600 reports a day, on average, from people identifying others for allegedly breaking lockdown rules.
Within the first six days of its launch on April 10, a dedicated Covid-19 webpage had received 3,787 complaints of regulations apparently being disobeyed.
The PSNI said the reports included claims of people exercising more than once a day, or a jogger coming within 2 metres of someone on a footpath.
Image source, Pacemaker“Some reports lack detail to take further action such as inaccurate or non-existent addresses,” a statement added.
Others relate to incidents outside Northern Ireland.
The PSNI said the webpage is “being reviewed” to help address some of the issues.
The UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government's plan to flatten the curve of the virus spread and protect the NHS "is working".
"At no point in this crisis has anyone who could benefit from critical care been denied that care because there weren't enough staff or beds or ventilators to treat them," he told a media briefing at Downing Street.
He adds: "There is much further to go.
"We owe it to them and to ourselves, not to throw away the progress we have made so far."
The cabinet minister continued: "We will not risk lives by relaxing the social distancing rules before our five tests have been met.
"First, that the NHS can continue to cope, second, that the operational challenges can be met.
"Third, that the daily death rate falls sustainably and consistently, fourth, that the rate of infection is decreasing and most importantly that there is no risk of a second peak."
Michelle O'Neill's view on cemetery visits is still at odds with Mrs Foster's.
"The first thing to say is that we all recognise the sensitivities," she said.
"But we are still in the middle of a pandemic.
"We're not out the other side of this yet, we need to focus on the public health."
She said: "I can assure the public at home as soon as we're in the position to lift the restrictions we will."
Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political reporter
Gatherings of more than 5,000 people in the Republic of Ireland are to be banned until September.
The Irish government has confirmed that any such events will not be granted licences.
It means there will be no major sporting events or concerts in the Republic of Ireland during the summer.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe government said the decision would be kept under review in line with public health advice on mass gatherings.
It said further health advice on lockdown restrictions will be updated in advance of 5 May.
On a vaccine for Covid-19, Health Secretary Matt Hancock says: "I am certain we will throw everything we've got at developing a vaccine."
He says the UK has "put more money than any other country on a vaccine search".
He mentions trials at Oxford and Imperial College London universities, saying they are "both promising projects" making "rapid progress".
He says the government will be giving £20m to the Oxford team to fund their clinical trials - and they will be trialing a vaccine on people starting on Thursday.
Arlene Foster says she's "concerned" that people are not seeking medical treatment for other issues due to their fears about Covid-19.
"It is vitally important that people present to hospital if they are unwell," the first minister told reporters at Stormont.
"You definitely should attend a hospital or GP and indeed we recognise that there are non-Covid healthcare issues that we will need to discuss with the health minister."
Mrs Foster also said it is important the executive is "criteria-led and not calendar-led" in how it plans Northern Ireland's recovery and the future relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.
"You have to have plans made in respect of recovery and renewal," she explained.
"It is of course right that we should be talking about those plans, but of course we are not at the point where those plans will be able to be put into place."
A Londonderry woman has been protesting against Derry City cemetery being closed to the public because of lockdown restrictions.
Etta Darcy’s husband, Hugh, died last August and is buried at the cemetery.
Mrs Darcy told BBC Radio Foyle that visiting her husband’s grave was “her comfort.”
Image source, Etta DarcyThe widow said many people, like herself, deal with their grief by visiting their loved ones at cemeteries.
“It feels terrible to not be allowed to have that", she said.
Derry City and Strabane District Council, who manage most cemeteries in the district, stressed the site remains closed because of NI executive guidance.
A council spokesperson said the authority “understands how difficult this is for people” but the decision to reopen is “not the council's to make".
UK MPs have returned to the House of Commons after an extended Easter recess amid the coronavirus crisis.
But there is a difference - MPs must maintain a 2m (6ft) distance from each other, helped by tape markings on the floor, and there are also markings on the famous green benches.
Their first move is to discuss a motion allowing a "hybrid" Parliament, with some MPs in the chamber and others connected via video link.
And speaking of differences, a BBC political journalist spotted a bit of a hairy role reversal in the DUP ranks...
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First Minister Arlene Foster says any abuse of restrictions being relaxed around the use of country and forest parks for those who live close to them "will not be tolerated".
She told the daily briefing at Stormont it is not yet time "to take our foot off the pedal or indeed return to our pre-Covid-19 routines".
She adds: "We must stay the course of isolation and social distancing.
"The recovery will be graduated, one step at a time."
The below table shows a geographical breakdown of the cases of coronavirus in Northern Ireland by council area.
Figures released earlier on Tuesday by the Department of Health show Belfast to have the most confirmed cases (272).
Causeway Coast and Glens Council area has the fewest number of confirmed cases (21).
Image source, DoHA further nine people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours, according to Public Health Agency figures.
It brings the number of deaths in Northern Ireland recorded by the Public Health Agency to 216, although the health department's dashboard suggested another four other deaths may have been recorded in recent days.
Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political reporter
The DUP MP Jim Shannon has told the House of Commons he is “not technically minded” and only learned how to send text messages a couple of years ago.
He was taking part in a debate in the Commons about how procedures will work during the Covid-19 pandemic, as more MPs attempt to work remotely.
The new hybrid system means the number of MPs present in the chamber will be limited to 50, and screens have been installed so MPs can ask questions via videolink.
“I want to ensure participation for myself and others, who haven’t had the chance to express themselves here today, that they can be part of this voting process,” said Mr Shannon, the Strangford MP.
Image source, Getty ImagesNew Garda powers to enforce the Irish government's rules on travel and social distancing have been imposed 34 times in the 10 days beginning 8 April, an Garda Síochána has said.
In a statement on Tuesday, a spokesperson said there had also been 405 Covid-19 related incidents that started as potential breaches of the regulations, but during the incidents other offences were disclosed.
As such, long-standing legislation for offences such as public order, assault, road traffic, and drugs was used instead.
These cases included incidents involving house/street parties, gatherings beyond the family unit, and non-essential travel.
Image source, PACommissioner Drew Harris said, "Gardaí are engaging with a large amount of people every day and in the vast majority of cases they are complying with the public health guidelines. It is vital this continues because it will help save lives."
He stressed that the legislation was used on a "tiny proportion" of the hundreds of thousands of people with whom police had engaged.
Image source, Getty ImagesTenants are staying put amid the coronavirus lockdown, but analysis suggests they will start moving again soon after restrictions are lifted.
Renting from a private landlord gives some flexibility in normal times, but restrictions have made viewings and moving family belongings impossible.
Rental demand is 42% down since the start of March, according to research by property portal Zoopla.
Demand from buyers fell faster and could face a longer-term slowdown.
Read more on this story here.
Newry, Mourne and Down County Council has cancelled its Festival of Flight due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Portrush airshow has previously been cancelled, albeit for different reasons.
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Image source, PA MediaIf you are just joining our live page coverage, here's an update on today's developments.
The Republic of Ireland's minister for finance says both the Irish and global economic landscapes have fundamentally changed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
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