Juliann McAllister contacted us earlier about a mural her husband has painted at Glencairn Way in north Belfast showing support for frontline workers as the battle against Covid-19 continues.

It is another example of solidarity with the NHS that is being shown in so many communities.

We'll leave it here tonight, but will be back again at 07:30 BST to keep you up to date with developments.

Take care and goodnight from the team at BBC News NI.

Image source, Juliann McAllister

Image source, Getty Images

As we've seen, another 31 people who had been diagnosed with Covid-19 have died in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the toll to 1,190.

There have been 376 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, making a total of 20,253.

The authorities have given more details of the 19,723 cases there were at midnight, Monday 27 April:

• 58% are female and 42% are male
• the median age of confirmed cases is 49 years
• 2,669 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
• Of those hospitalised, 355 cases have been admitted to ICU
• 5,568 cases are associated with healthcare workers
• Dublin has the highest number of cases at 9,751 (49% of all cases)

Dr Tony Holohan, the Republic of Ireland's Chief Medical Officer estimated that there was a total recovery rate of 70%.

Image source, Getty Images

Coming up to 10pm, here is a quick look at some of today's key developments.

Nine more people in Northern Ireland have died with coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths here to 338. This figure, which relates mainly to hospital fatalities, is likely to rise.

In the Republic of Ireland, another 31 people who had been diagnosed with the virus have died, bringing the total to 1,190.

The number of people who have died with coronavirus in the UK has passed 26,000.

In other news:

• Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says the NI secretary and the whole of the UK government will work to ensure patients awaiting treatment for non-Covid-19 procedures are prioritised
• The leisure industry calls on government to extend support saying cash reserves are being rapidly eroded by rent, bank repayments and insurance costs
• Agriculture minister Edwin Poots suggests garden centres should be allowed to reopen, if they can manage social distancing
• Mr Poots also suggests there could be a phased re-opening of some churches that can adhere to social distancing
• Communities minister Deirdre Hargey revealed that in the last five weeks, 57,000 new claims have been made for universal credit in Northern Ireland.

Image source, Pacemaker

The Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, says councils should "exhaust all options to protect workers".

Yesterday Antrim and Newtownabbey Council announced plans to cut more than 70 agency and short-term staff.

But this evening Ms Hargey says she "will not support actions of councils if they do not respect and protect worker’s rights".

"Of course I share councils’ concerns about their ongoing financial sustainability.

"But this a time for careful consideration of all the options before taking action."

The minister says her officials are working closely with councils to understand their financial position and see if they can make use of the government's job retention scheme.

James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent, BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

People needing hospital treatment for coronavirus are as likely to die as those with Ebola, claim UK researchers.

The warning comes as the largest study in Europe, external showed at least a third of hospital patients with Covid-19 die.

The disease is mild for most and can be treated at home, but scientists said people needed to realise how dangerous the infection could be.

Obesity, ageing and being male greatly increase the risk of death, according to the data from 166 British hospitals.

Medical details on nearly 17,000 coronavirus patients in England, Wales and Scotland have been analysed.

Read more on this story here.

Health Minister Robin Swann has stressed his "commitment to transparency on statistics on coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland".

Mr Swann says he wants "to continue seeing the maximum possible transparency on this issue".

“I want to explore with NISRA if it is possible for it to report more frequently than once a week on deaths associated with Covid-19 across hospitals and the community," he says.

“This is not straightforward and I want to thank all those who are working hard in this area to provide up to date and reliable statistics.”

The minister highlighted the current dual system for reporting fatalities relating to Covid-19.

He said the Department of Health publishes a daily total of all deaths recorded by HSC Trusts where there has been a laboratory confirmed positive Covid-19 test within 28 days of death.

He added that these will have "been mainly but not solely hospital deaths".

A weekly bulletin is published by NISRA (the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency), the public authority responsible for statistics on deaths.

Mr Swann says the weekly NISRA bulletin details where Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19 was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions

"It is clear that there will be some overlap between the community deaths included in the published daily figures and the weekly NISRA bulletin," he adds.

“I fully accept this is complicated.

“I am committed to doing all I can to get as much information into the public domain as possible.”

The Irish Department of Health says a further 31 people who had been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland have died.

It brings the total number of deaths to 1,190.

The department also announced an additional 376 confirmed cases of the virus, bringing the overall number infected to 20,253.

Louise Cullen
BBC News NI

A senior emergency doctor has described how he suffered a "deeply unpleasant" form of the Covid-19 virus.

Sean McGovern, who works as clinical director at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, first experienced the unusual symptom of back pain.

He later developed a "frightening" episode of respiratory symptoms, but his condition improved.

"Over a period of about 12 hours I developed a headache and felt very fatigued and unwell," he said.

Read more on this story here.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council says that "with regret" it has had to postpone an annual service of reflection, which was due to take place on Saturday.

"This poignant service is a chance for parents to remember their babies and children who have passed away, and takes place in the Princess Diana Garden at Lagan Valley Island," it adds.

The mayor, Alan Givan, said due to the Covid-19 pandemic "it is not safe for us to bring local parents together" for the service of reflection.

Image source, Getty Images

Click here for five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this Wednesday evening.

Image source, MoD/PA

The UK government has pledged to do 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April.

It managed 43,563 in the 24 hours up to 09:00 BST on 28 April.

The government says it has the capacity to carry out 75,000 tests a day, but not all of this capacity is being used.

How close is the UK to 100,000 tests a day?

Read more on this here.

The World Health Organisation , externalsays only two groups of people should wear protective masks, those who are:

• Sick and showing symptoms
• Caring for people suspected to have coronavirus

Dr Shunmay Yeung, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, explains why not everybody is being recommended to wear them.

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has asked landlords to "show leniency" to commercial tenants who are experiencing problems paying rent on commercial leases due to the economic impact of Covid-19.

He said his department had inserted a provision into the Coronavirus Act 2020 to "protect commercial tenants in situations where non-payment of rent would normally enable a landlord to treat a lease as forfeited".

The finance minister said he was "disappointed to learn some landlords are seeking to enforce a right of repossession or forfeiture of the lease for non-payment of rent".

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Murphy was speaking after a call with Roger Pollen of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Mr Pollen said many businesses "are under immense pressure and struggling in tough economic circumstances".

He added: "For those who are currently unable to trade, they have seen all sources of income dry up, while fixed costs and overheads remain."

The Irish FA has praised the "crucial role" of many football clubs and volunteers who are supporting the "most vulnerable" during the COVID-19 crisis.

In a statement, the IFA said "football's response has been very strong".

Michael Boyd, who is the IFA's director of football development, recognised the work of more than 50 clubs across Northern Ireland.

Image source, Getty Images

“Through our grassroots networks we are aware of more than 50 football clubs actively delivering food or medicine to the most vulnerable in our society,” said Mr Boyd.

"They are making a vital contribution" and "we are extremely proud of them," he added.

Image source, Getty Images

There is growing concern that standard personal protective equipment (PPE), which often has a unisex design, doesn't always fit women properly.

PPE is essential for protecting frontline workers exposed to Covid-19.

The Department of Health said the kit is designed to protect "both genders".

However, healthcare workers are saying that even the smallest sizes are too big for some women - who make up 77% of the NHS workforce, according to NHS digital figures from 2018.

If it is too big it can be less effective in providing a complete barrier to the virus.

Read more on this story here.

BBC NI Home Affairs Correspondent Julian O'Neill has provided some context around the PSNI's issuing of fines with regard to Covid-19 regulations.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd has issued a statement with regard to the compliance of regulations in relation to Covid-19.

He says it is "encouraging that the vast majority of people are complying with the regulations".

However, he adds that the PSNI has "seen evidence that a lot of people still are not taking the advice to stay at home and are not heeding our three Es – Engage, Explain and Encourage".

ACC Todd says the PSNI has now issued 374 fines and 615 Community Resolution Notices "directing people to behave differently".

“The simple health advice is to stay at home and only leave home when it is absolutely essential," he adds.

"We will continue to conduct patrols and vehicle checkpoints and you will continue to see police patrols and checkpoints across Northern Ireland for example at beauty spots, on roads going to key resorts and in border areas to engage with the public to ensure that everyone understands and is adhering to the direction from our government.

"If you don’t have a reasonable explanation for your travel, we will turn you back."

Image source, PA Media

The government has pledged more than £1.5bn over the next five years as part of international efforts to find a Covid-19 vaccine.

International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan told MPs the UK would contribute the equivalent of £330m a year for the next five years to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance - formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.

First Secretary of State Dominic Raab later said the government would seek to vaccinate "all of the people here in the UK" as well as supporting the "most vulnerable and poorest countries" in immunising their populations.

The number of people who have died with coronavirus in the UK has passed 26,000, as official figures include deaths in the community, such as in care homes, for the first time.

The total number of deaths in the UK is 26,097, Public Health England said.

This figure now includes deaths in the community since the start of March, along with hospital deaths.

Image source, AFP

Only people who died after testing positive for coronavirus are included in the new total.

Public Health England (PHE) said it has developed a new method of reporting daily Covid-19 deaths in England, to give a more complete number of those who have died from the virus.

Read more