Covid-19 deaths rise to 435 as lockdown extended

The total number of Covid-19 related deaths has risen to 435 as the Executive has agreed to keep in place the lockdown restrictions until at least May 30.

In the daily Department of Health update on Sunday afternoon, it was revealed that there had been five further deaths in the previous 24 hour period.

In consideration of the scientific evidence and medical advice presented to the Executive, which shows that the R value is currently between 0.8 and 0.9, Ministers have decided that the restrictions must remain in place for now.

Maintaining R at less than one will minimise the direct harms resulting from the Covid-19 epidemic. If it rises above one, it will lead to an increase in cases, greater pressure on our health service and the possibility of needing to re-impose restrictions again.

Health Minister Robin Swann said, “The relaxation of any restriction is not without risk. Each requires detailed consideration of a complex set of circumstances and is a fine balancing act between controlling transmission of the virus and the detrimental impacts of having the Regulations in place.

“Our primary concern is saving lives in the short, medium and long term. We cannot risk the decisions we take now having damaging consequences in the future and it is for this reason that the regulations must remain in place.”