As few as three “superspreaders” could be behind the extraordinary rise in Derry and Strabane

Four more covid related deaths - 24 people fighting virus in ICU + Calls for all-island strategy to tackling Covid +

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Subscribe              Oct 15, 2020           Dear reader A row broke out about the effectiveness of Northern Ireland's track and trace system at the Assembly today.  The boss of the Public Health Agency (PHA) refuted an Assembly member's claim that Northern Ireland's Covid-19 test and trace system is "as useful as a chocolate fireguard". The assertion from Sinn Fein's Pat Sheehan provoked an angry response from fellow members of the Assembly's health committee with calls for the West Belfast representative to apologise. There was more sad news as the Department of Health confirmed that another four people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland.  There were also another 763 positive tests for Covid-19 over the last 24 hours. There have now been 6,394 new positive cases notified in the last seven days. There are 201 patients with Covid-19 being treated in hospital, with 24 in intensive care. Stay safe  Alistair Bushe Editor Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           Four more people die after testing positive for virus - 763 more test positive - 24 people fighting virus in ICU - and 210 patients in hospital with virus - see how many news cases in your area           Another four people have lost their lives after testing positive for COVID-19.                 Three 'superspreaders' could be behind rise in Derry and Strabane case numbers   As few as three "superspreaders" could be behind the extraordinary rise in coronavirus cases in Derry and Strabane.           Chief Constable Simon Byrne blasted for PSNI's 'toothless' approach to enforcing Covid-19 regulations in NI - DUP MLA Mervyn Storey   Chief Constable Simon Byrne has been called to ensure his officers take a more robust approach to enforcement of the Covid-19 regulations.           Epidemiologist Dr Gabriel Scally calls for all-island strategy to tackling Covid - 'if this were animals you could bet your life there would be an integrated approach'   A leading epidemiologist has called for an all-island approach to the pandemic, saying "you could bet your life" one would be used if the disease affected animals.           Sinn Fein MLA slammed for describing NI track and trace system 'as useful as a chocolate fireguard'   A Sinn Fein MLA and member of the Stormont oversight committee for health has been critiscised by fellow health committee members for describing the Public Health Agency led track and trace system as "as useful as a chocolate fireguard".           DUP MP in school gate clash with chief medic   DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has urged Northern Ireland's chief medical officer to "focus on solutions" rather than the "blunt instrument" of school closures.           Doctors' group warns: This is too little, too late   The latest lockdown restrictions "don't go far enough", a group representing doctors has warned.           Chief Medical Officer: Unemployment will cost lives in medium term but NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed now   The Chief Medical Officer has acknowledged that poverty and unemployment will cost lives in the medium to long term but that difficult choices have to be made to stop the NHS being overwhelmed now.           Coronavirus: Sinn Fein backs new funeral rules but still no apology on Bobby Storey funeral, says TUV leader Jim Allister   The Stormont Executive - which includes Sinn Fein - has introduced new rules limiting funeral attendances to 25 people, despite the fact that the party has offered no apology for attending the funeral of a leading republican in June.           Owner of popular NI cafe 'beyond angry' at instruction to close - Second full lockdown a 'real possibility' weeks before Christmas   The owner of one of Northern Ireland's most popular cafes and ice cream parlours has reacted angrily to the restrictions the Northern Ireland Executive has imposed on the hospitality sector.                 View more on Coronavirus

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