NI’s chief scientist defends evidence used by Executive to close businesses

Edwin Poots says Sinn Fein 'tried to distort and twist' what he said about Covid-19 in nationalist areas

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Subscribe              Oct 21, 2020           Good afternoon   Once again the Department of Health coronavirus reporting dashboard has brought us that sad news that more lives have been lost to the virus. Five more people have died after positive Covid-19 tests and 1,039 new infections have been detected. There are currently 289 patients being treated in NI hospitals.   This news comes at a time when a consultant surgeon has warned that people may not get "the surgery they need" due to the pressure on hospitals. He urged that people should take care. "More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else, so I would encourage everyone to be mindful of the dangers in and around the home". NI's chief scientist has defended the evidence used by Executive to close businesses.  Chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young said the numbers might appear small but such incremental reductions could make an "enormous difference". Today the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) published its third set of results from its Coronavirus (COVID-19) survey.  The questions asked covered issues such as the impact on people's lives, home socialing, personal finances and personal wellbeing.  You can read the full details here   Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots has accused Sinn Fein of attempting to "distort and twist" comments he made about Covid-19 in nationalist areas. He said "At no time did I attribute the spread of Covid-19 to religion. It is deeply regrettable that such a narrative has been created. I cherish my Catholic friends and neighbours. I would never intentionally use words that would cause them offence"   Finally News Letter journalist Graeme Cousins talks about his own personal experience after receiving a 'close contact notification' from  the StopCovidNI app. He is currently self-isolating.    Stay safe   Michael Cousins Deputy digital 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.           NI's chief scientist defends evidence used by Executive to close businesses           Stormont's chief scientist has defended the evidence base that guided ministerial decisions to close down sections of Northern Ireland's economy.                 5 deaths from COVID-19 - 1,039 new infections - 289 patients with virus in NI hospitals - 32 patients fighting for lives in ICU   Another 5 people have died with COVID-19, the latest Department of Health dashboard has revealed.           Edwin Poots says Sinn Fein 'tried to distort and twist' what he said about Covid-19 in nationalist areas   Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots, has accused Sinn Fein of attempting to "distort and twist" comments he made about Covid-19 in nationalist areas.           'Hospitals are so busy with Covid, car crash victims may not get surgery', consultant warns   A consultant surgeon has warned that car crash victims may not get "the surgery they need" due to the pressure on hospitals from coronavirus.           The results are in - NI Covid-19 opinion survey results - 8% unlikely to wear face-coverings and 28% feel unsafe outside their home   The Northern Ireland Statisitcs and Research Agency (NISRA) has published its third set of results from its Coronavirus (COVID-19) survey.           Three Northern Ireland hospitals have no ICU beds available   Three hospitals in Northern Ireland have run out of spaces in their intensive care units, the latest data from the Stormont health department shows.           427 people in NI have been admitted to hospital in the last 14 days after testing positive Covid-19 - 17 ICU beds available right across NI   The number of people with Covid-19 being admitted to hospitals in Northern Ireland continues to grow.           Mystery of Covid close contact alert which leads to quarantine for News Letter reporter   At around 7.45pm on Sunday night my phone pinged to let me know I had a notification.           Evidence behind NI's Covid-19 response published - business chief Simon Hamilton brands'flimsy' evidence 'absolutely shocking'   The Department of Health has made public the evidence used to inform its decisions on managing the Covid-19 pandemic.                 View more on Coronavirus

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