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Stormont’s first minister has described a “grave” public health situation as thousands of Covid-19 cases continue to be confirmed each day in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\nStormont’s first minister has described a “grave” public health situation as thousands of Covid-19 cases continue to be confirmed each day in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
An additional 13 deaths and 1,985 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the North on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Hospitality occupancy across Northern Ireland stands at 102 per cent, with a total of 592 Covid-confirmed inpatients, 44 of whom are being treated in intensive care.<\/p>\n
Following the public health advice has never mattered so much, first minister Arlene Foster said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be asking everyone to help us get through the next period of time by complying with the public health messaging and by adhering to the full range of restrictions because it has never mattered so much,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The reproductive rate of the virus is approaching 1.8, with the number of cases diagnosed each day in the region nearing 2,000.<\/p>\n
The peak in admissions to Northern Ireland\u2019s crowded hospitals is envisaged during the last fortnight of this month.<\/p>\n
Schools will close in most cases, with youngsters to be taught via remote learning. Many exams have been cancelled.<\/p>\n
The DUP leader added: \u201cWe\u2019re also asking schools, teachers, parents, children and the wider education community to take very difficult steps now.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been there before and we have won, and we\u2019ve made it a priority to avoid impacting on schools again unless it was absolutely vital to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately it\u2019s not possible to protect the health service and keep people safe without taking steps now with schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the health situation was grave and the Executive\u2019s decisions around extra restrictions were essential.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to make space for the health service to deal with the serious rise in case numbers, and as always we pay tribute to everything that our health and social care colleagues are engaged with to keep us safe and to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy first minister Michelle O\u2019Neill said children had been under pressure over the last year and denied the opportunity to mix with their peers.<\/p>\n
She claimed many had been \u201cleft hanging\u201d and not knowing if they will have to sit transfer tests for grammar schools.<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Neill confirmed the new measures would include remote learning for schools, limited contact in domestic settings and statutory measures to support the stay-at-home message.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priorities remain unchanged, we are committing to saving lives, protecting our health service from being overwhelmed and doing all that we can to reduce the spread of this deadly virus,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n