Fivefold increase in seven days of COVID-19 patients on ventilators + A message from the editor

Three men die after testing positive for COVID-19 and 877 new cases detected in last 24 hours

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Subscribe              Oct 12, 2020           Dear reader It's been a dramatic and sobering day in the battle with the coronavirus pandemic in Northern Ireland.  It all began on the Stephen Nolan Show, which included claims from an unnamed DUP minister that chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride advocated a six-week lockdown as a tool to halt the second wave of coronavirus. However, the story prompted a wave of sceptical voices, with Lagan Valley DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson asking why a localised effort to combat the virus in places of high infections like the Derry and Strabane Council area was apparently being shelved.  One of the most powerful interventions of the day came from Simon Hamilton, the chief executive of the Belfast Chamber of Trade, who warned that another lockdown will kill off many businesses in Northern Ireland.  The comments came as three men died after testing positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, while another 877 new cases of the virus were detected over the last 24 hours.  These are very trying times for all of us.    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.             Fivefold increase in seven days in number of COVID-19 patients in NI on ventilators           This time last week there were eight Covid-19 patients in Northern Ireland requiring a ventilator to assist them with their breathing - in just seven days this figure has risen 560 per cent to 45.                 East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson says further lockdown 'should be avoided at all costs'   The Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber of Trade, Simon Hamilton, has warned how a second lockdown could kill off many businesses.           Three men die after testing positive for COVID-19 and 877 new cases detected in last 24 hours   Northern Ireland has recorded its highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in a 24 hour period in months.           We have been by your side, bringing news that you trust - since 1737   I sincerely hope that this letter finds you, your family, colleagues and friends safe and well in these difficult times.           Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride reportedly makes call for 6 week lockdown for NI   The Chief Medical officer for NI Dr Michael McBride has reportedly called for a six week lockdown for Northern Ireland.           NI secondary school announces decision to close this morning 'at short notice' after COVID-19 case   A NI Secondary school has taken a decision to close this morning at short notice.           DUP MP questions the need for NI coronavirus lockdown   A senior DUP MP has questioned the need for a region-wide lockdown in Northern Ireland.                 View more on Coronavirus

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