Coronavirus briefing: Three more deaths in Northern Ireland

The next phase of emergency health service planning for the Covid-19 surge has been detailed by the Department of Health.

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              Mar 26, 2020           Good evening, The coronavirus continues to have an impact on all aspects of life here with more measures introduced on Thursday to halt the spread. Restrictions on hospital visits have now been introduced, with only some exceptions, including for child patients and women giving birth. These are undoubtedly difficult measures to cope with, but as a community we know they are needed to combat this dreadful virus.  Thursday also saw the sad news of three new deaths in the Province from Covi-19, the most deaths we have seen here confirmed in a single day.  Stay safe everyone.   Alistair Bushe Editor    Here are some of today's main developments: The number of people to have died in Northern Ireland has risen to 10 after three more people died in the last 24 hours, the Public Health Agency (PHA) confirmed today. Testing has also identified 32 new patients as suffering from the virus. The total number of cases in Northern Ireland now stands at 241. The next phase of emergency health service planning has today been detailed by the Department of Health. The plans include prioritisation of patient care, reconfiguration of hospital services, urgent discharge of all medically fit patients and an end to general hospital visiting - with very limited exceptions. Northern Ireland's court system is being put in lockdown for the foreseeable future. Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, announced that members of the public should not attend court today, even though their names may appear on court lists. Instead, their cases will be adjourned without them needing to attend. Chancellor Rishi Sunak this evening announced that self-employed people facing financial difficulties will be able to have 80 per cent of their wages covered by the government - capped at £2,500 a month. The support will last for an initial period of three months. Mr Sunak said this would be extended if necessary. The UK government has ordered 10,000 ventilators from Dyson. The firm has invented a new type of ventilator in response to a call on behalf of the NHS. The devices will first have to pass stringent medical tests. The NHS currently has around 8,000 ventilators. The latest advice on coronavirus from the NHS can be found here             Hospital visiting stopped as part of emergency health service planning for the Covid-19 surge - urgent discharge of all medically fit patients           The next phase of emergency health service planning for the Covid-19 surge has been detailed by the Department of Health.                 Coronavirus: NI doctors and nurses know the risk – but they are determined, says senior medic   Medical staff know that they face a significant personal risk from Coronavirus, yet they are determined to do their jobs, one of Northern Ireland's most senior intensive care doctors has said.           Coronavirus - Thousands of people may already have Covid-19 in NI   Many thousands of people may already have coronavirus in Northern Ireland, the chief medical officer warned.                 View more on Coronavirus

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