CORONAVIRUS: Further five deaths recorded in the North

A FURTHER five deaths related to Covid-19 in the North have been recorded by the Department of Health today.

This takes the total number of deaths in the North recorded by the Department of Health to 494.

The department’s latest figures also reveal 18 new cases, resulting in an overall total of 4,439 confirmed cases in the North.

While the number of new cases appear to be reducing at an encouraging rate, and lockdown restrictions are being eased, speaking at an NI Executive Covid-19 briefing, Health Minister Robin Swann repeated the vital public health messages on preventing the spread of the virus.

He said, “The messages I have repeated endlessly from the start of this emergency are just as urgent and just as crucial today.

“Keep washing your hands and keep your distance. Look after yourself, your families and your health service.

“These messages are so important now that some changes to the lockdown restrictions have been announced.

“People will be out and about a bit more, including meeting family members and friends outdoors in groups of up to six.

“But please remember: Social distancing remains a matter of life and death. I can’t emphasise that enough.

“Wash your hands like your life depends on it. It might just.”