Two more coronavirus-related deaths in NI in 24 hours
Two more people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in Northern Ireland in the last 24-hour reporting period, according to the Department of Health.
The latest figures, which come as localised restrictions in parts of Co Antrim are now legally enforceable, show another 129 people have tested positive out of 4,953 people tested.
Wednesday’s update puts the official death toll at 573, but that figure is expected to be significantly higher when deaths in all community settings are accounted for.
Twenty-one people with Covid-19 are in hospital, three are in intensive care and two are on ventilators.
There are currently 25 confirmed outbreaks in care homes and a further eight suspected outbreaks.
The localised restrictions broadly apply to:
Belfast City Council area
Postcode area BT28
Postcode area BT29
Ballymena town and postcode area BT43
Postcode areas may be added and removed from the local restrictions as patterns of infection change and further interventions and restrictions can be introduced as necessary.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “Last week, the Executive made the difficult decision to introduce localised restrictions and sought the goodwill of the public to adhere to that request.
“I am very aware of the difficulties some of these restrictions might cause, however the decisions were not taken lightly,” Mr Swann said.
“My Department has worked with Ordnance Survey NI to produce an interactive map that clearly shows which postcodes are restricted.
“This map is available via NI Direct and will be updated and produced weekly, ensuring there is no confusion in relation to where the restrictions apply.”
At a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Lead Nurse Roisin Devlin made a plea on behalf of frontline healthcare workers for people not to be complacent.
“Never in my career have I seen colleagues so concerned about the incoming winter. We have no agenda – we’re simply worried for our patients,” she said.
Addressing the situation in the Holyland area of Belfast, where numerous young people have been breaching coronavirus restrictions, Mr Swann described the behaviour as “deplorable”.
While he noted that he did not believe those responsible were representative of all students or all young people, he added that the situation "does demand urgent and coordinated action" by Belfast City Council, the PSNI, and local universities.