One coronavirus-related death in NI in last 24 hours

Lockdown is being eased across Northern Ireland, but the coronavirus pandemic is not over. Credit: PA

One person who tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland has sadly died in the last 24-hour reporting period and two more positive cases have been identified.

According to the Department of Health, the death toll now stands at 547 – however, the exact figure will be significantly higher when deaths in all community settings are accounted for.

Another 853 people have been tested for Covid-19 and two of them returned positive results.

There have now been 174 acute respiratory outbreaks in care homes across Northern Ireland.

A total of 111 Covid-19 outbreaks in such facilities are considered “closed”, having had no new cases for 14 days after the most recent case.

There are currently 44 confirmed Covid-19 outbreaks in care homes and a further 19 suspected outbreaks.

UK-wide, the coronavirus-related death toll has risen by 154 - to 43,081.

The actual figure when deaths in all community settings are factored in is expected to be much higher and is already believed to have exceeded 54,000.

While lockdown is easing in Northern Ireland and businesses are starting to reopen, restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus are still in place.

In England, the two metre social distancing rule has been reduced to "one metre plus".

That means people should stay two metres apart where possible, but where that is not possible - for example, on public transport, they should take extra measures such as wearing masks.

In Northern Ireland, the two metre rule still applies.

However, Economy Minister Diane Dodds is seeking a formal review of the measure.

Reducing the social distance would be more viable for businesses, particularly those in the hospitality sector.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know