Covid threat 'diminished but not disappeared' says chief medical officer

Department of Health officials held a minute's silence for the Day of Reflection

The Covid-19 threat has "diminished but not disappeared", Northern Ireland's chief medical officer has said.

Sir Michael McBride was speaking as a series of events took place to remember those who died during the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Day of Reflection marked the second anniversary of the first lockdown in Northern Ireland.

Sir Michael encouraged people to show their respect and to continue to follow public health guidelines.

"It is right and proper that we reflect on the terrible losses and immense sacrifices of the past two years," he said.

"It is also important that we all continue to guard against complacency regarding the virus."

Sir Michael appealed to people to "keep making safer choices in our daily lives".

"That's how we protect the most vulnerable and help ease ongoing pressures on our health service," he said.

'Terrible losses'

The chief medical officer paid tribute to people who worked on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to those involved in Northern Ireland's vaccination programme.

He also gave a special mention to people who lost loved ones over the past two years.

"We owe it to them to learn all the lessons from the pandemic and to build a more resilient health service for the future," Sir Michael said.

People have been adding personal commemorations to the Wall of Reflection in Belfast

A minute's silence was observed on Wednesday as part of the commemoration events, and an evening candlelit vigil is taking place at Belfast's City Hall.

People also added personal commemorations to the Wall of Reflection on Belfast's Royal Avenue.

Councils across Northern Ireland have also lit up buildings in yellow, including Belfast City Hall, Titanic Belfast, Guildhall Clock in Londonderry and Enniskillen Castle in County Fermanagh.

Most of us are looking ahead and wanting to put this behind us, but the figures paint a different picture.

The virus is very much still with us, with the current rise in infections being driven by the BA.2 Omicron variant.

Another eight people died with Covid in Northern Ireland on Tuesday - last week deaths averaged three, four, five each day according to the Office for National Statistics.

One in 17 people in Northern Ireland has Covid, and the numbers of patients in hospital and intensive care are rising.

While the figures are going up, the vaccines are still managing to stop many severe cases.

There's a strong case that boosters are required and as soon as possible.

Charity Marie Curie organised a number of the events around Northern Ireland.

It said people were still living with the trauma of loss, many of whom felt unable to grieve properly when restrictions were in place.

In Belfast, a Listening Wall was installed at the site of the former Tesco on Royal Avenue, now home to a cultural space hosting exhibitions.

It allows visitors to record and listen to memories of loved ones.

In Belfast, a Listening Wall was installed at the site of the former Tesco on Royal Avenue

Children from the Limavady wrote postcards thanking people who helped them through the pandemic, which will go on display at the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre.

'A very long two years'

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said the pandemic had been a very difficult time.

"I look back to the start of the pandemic though and I see ministers working really well together in the same way that we saw members of the public working well together, pulling together, wanting to make sure the vulnerable were looked after and people were cared for and didn't feel alone," he said.

"In those early days, we realised the seriousness of the situation that we faced and worked well together and worked hard to ensure there was support for those who needed it.

"But it has been a very long two years, a very difficult two years and undoubtedly we got things wrong at times."

• What are Northern Ireland's rules on Covid-19?

In February, Health Minister Robin Swann revoked Northern Ireland's remaining Covid-19 restrictions, so rules that were formerly legally binding, such as wearing face coverings in enclosed public spaces, are now guidance.

This means that while people are encouraged to follow restrictions, they will not face any punishment for not doing so.

However, individual businesses are still able to ask customers to follow certain rules.

Earlier this week, assembly members extended powers to fight Covid-19 by six months until September 2022.

Mr Swann said extending the powers was an "insurance policy should the worst happen".