Northern Ireland’s coronavirus death toll rises to 250

The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland has sadly risen to 250, according to the latest figures.

The Department of Health says the total includes eight fatalities on Tuesday and updated figures from previous days.

Health Minister Robin Swann said he appreciated the latest data – which comes just six weeks after the region recorded its first confirmed case of the virus - would “cause some alarm”.

He said: “My immediate thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have lost their lives.

“These are devastating times for so many families across our community.

“One death is one too many.”

The Health Minister added: “I appreciate that this latest total will cause some alarm, given the scale of the increase from yesterday.

“These daily figures are compiled for surveillance purposes to help us track the virus and keep the public as informed as possible.

“The daily figures will always be subject to some degree of revision, as deaths will be officially registered at different times in busy hospitals.”

UK-wide, 18,100 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 – a day-on-day increase of 759.

Meanwhile, Mr Swann has backed the reopening of cemeteries to the public – an issue that has divided the Stormont Executive.

The DUP and UUP are in favour of reopening them with measures in place to ensure social distancing, but Sinn Féin and the Alliance Party are opposed.

“In regards to cemeteries, as health minister I would see no reason why people couldn’t be visiting cemeteries at this minute in time,” Mr Swann said, during Wednesday’s briefing.

“There is a solace, a support there that many individuals can gain from visiting a cemetery.”

He added: “We have to realise the mental challenge that we’re putting on many individuals by asking them to remain in lock-down, and some will receive solace and support by visiting the graves of loved ones.

“It’s something that I hope the Executive can come to a reasonable position on where we can open up cemeteries in a managed way.

“Should it be in a one direction approach round the cemeteries in a single file, or the number of people entering cemeteries, or the actual time of day that cemeteries are open, but I think it’s an approach that we as an executive should be looking to.”

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