Coronavirus: Don't relax guard, warn Foster and O'Neill

First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill held Monday's daily press conference remotely

People in Northern Ireland cannot relax their guard over the next fortnight when a surge of coronavirus cases is anticipated, the first and deputy first ministers have warned.

They told a remote press conference there had been seven more Covid-19 related deaths in NI.

It brings the total number of NI deaths in the global pandemic to 70.

Arlene Foster later sent prayers and best wishes to Boris Johnson after the PM was moved into intensive care.

The 55-year-old, who was admitted to hospital in London with "persistent (coronavirus) symptoms" on Sunday evening, was transferred when these symptoms "worsened", Downing Street said.

Easter warning

The surge of the virus is expected to arrive in NI between 6 and 20 April.

The Public Health Agency said a further 69 cases of coronavirus had also been confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 1,158.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus hospital deaths in the UK reached 5,373 - an increase of 439 in a day, with 51,608 confirmed cases.

There have been 174 coronavirus-linked deaths in the Republic of Ireland, where there are 5,364 confirmed cases.

Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill led Monday's daily press conference remotely for the first time, appearing from their homes.

Mrs Foster described the next two weeks as "critical", thanking those who had adhered to guidelines on social distancing.

But she added: "It is essential in this period that we do not relax our guard, especially in the lead-up to and during the Easter period."

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the executive would continue to reinforce the message that people must stay at home.

"This is not an Easter week holiday, or a time for people to be relaxing," she added.

"It is a time for people to follow the letter of the law, the advice they have been given to stay at home and try to stop the spread."

The first and deputy first ministers also welcomed the delivery of additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline workers in Northern Ireland.

The first batch of 5.5m pieces of PPE arrived in Belfast on Monday from Great Britain, including 1,320,000 aprons and 307,800 FFP3 respirator masks - which provide the highest level of protection.

Ms O'Neill said the other priority had to be increasing testing for the virus.

"There are plans to bring forward a rapid scale-up of testing, to increase testing of our health and social care workers, to increase testing for people in residential care settings so I think that is a move in the right direction," she added.

The ministers also condemned threats made against Health Minister Robin Swann, after offensive comments were made against him on social media last week.

In other developments:

• Twelfth of July parades have been cancelled across Northern Ireland due to the coronavirus outbreak

• Sales of new cars in Northern Ireland fell by 56% in March compared to the same month last year

• A rise in Housing Executive rents for the first time in five years in Northern Ireland has been put on hold

• Northern Ireland's three airports have been in discussions with the Department for Transport about their continued operations

• A Belfast hotel is to be used as a facility for patients recovering from Covid-19

• The Health and Social Care Board has partnered with independent sector hospitals to treat urgent (non-Covid-19) patients; Kingsbridge Private Hospital, the Ulster Independent Clinic and the North West Independent Hospital will provide up to 112 beds

• A SIMPLE GUIDE: How do I protect myself?

• AVOIDING CONTACT: The rules on self-isolation and exercise

• LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area

• MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak

• STRESS: How to look after your mental health