Hasn't it been wonderful to see how Captain Tom Moore has successfully lifted the mood of the nation in recent weeks with his remarkable fundraising activity for the NHS?
He has captured the imagination of people right across the UK with his £30m haul for the NHS, including everyone in Northern Ireland. Tom's 100th birthday was marked on Thursday as he was immortalised by a 14-foot mural at Aldergrove Flying Station in Co Antrim .
In a statement to the Assembly on Thursday afternoon, health minister Robin Swann revealed that nine more people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, taking the total death toll here to 349.
The minister also outlined that 2,243 tests for Covid-19 were carried out in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, which is the biggest total to date and encouraging news in the fight against coronavirus.
Mr Swann provided more information on the pilot contract tracing system which the government hopes can be another effective tool against the virus. Up to 300 people here are taking part in the pilot.
Stay safe,
Alistair Bushe
Editor
Here are today's headlines:
Captain Tom Moore's NHS appeal hits £30 million on his 100th birthday The World War Two veteran originally set out to walk 100 laps of his garden before his milestone with a fundraising target of £1,000.
Nine more people die with COVID-19 in NI - bringing death toll to 347 Health Minister Robin Swann added that there were 2,243 tests carried out yesterday in relation to Covid-19 - the biggest total to date.
All NI councils reviewing staffing levels, says NIPSA, after Antrim proposes laying off 73 A trade union leader has said that councils across NI are reviewing their options around laying off staff, after Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council announced it was making 73 employees redundant.
Robin Swann has indicated that there will be no immediate lifting of coronavirus restrictions – adding that life will not return fully to normal until there is a vaccine.
Armed Forces personnel in NI have paid a tribute to the remarkable achievements of Captain (Capt) Tom Moore by installing a 14-foot mural at Aldergrove Flying Station, to commemorate his 100th birthday.
The government has been challenged on what it intends to do about people in NI who are currently dying from conditions other than coronavirus because they are not attending hopsital when they desperately need to.
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Dr Connor Bamford, a virologist from Queen's University Belfast who is an expert in respiratory viruses and immunity to them, is at the moment working on a vital UK-funded Covid-19 project to find drugs that will treat patients and eradicate some of the symptoms of the potentially lethal illness which include high fever and damage to the lungs that can leave sufferers on ventilators in ICU.
A "safety and security" agreement removing the need for post-Brexit entry and exit declarations between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is needed, the freight industry said.
The government has been challenged on what it intends to do about people in NI who are currently dying from conditions other than coronavirus because they are not attending hopsital when they desperately need to.
A Cullybackey based designer of exclusive underwear has turned her time and talents to sewing protective face masks for free for frontline healthcare workers in Mid and East Antrim.
The nation has turned to baking to cope with the lockdown with cheese scones, apple and rhubarb crumble and sponge cake topping the list of favourites, according to the National Trust.
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