Health Minister accused of making 'horrifying and confusing' remarks about prioritising Covid patients

The Department of Health dashboard has revealed that another 14 people have died with COVID-19 in NI.

View email online

Subscribe              Nov 16, 2020           Good afternoon,   Welcome to Monday's Coronavirus update from the News Letter team.   "Northern Ireland is going to end up as one of the worst cases in the world in tackling Coronavirus unless someone gets a grip."  Read for yourself why Dr Gabriel Scally feels he needs to make such a stark warning to our political leaders.   There's no doubt that the pandemic is taking a heavy toll on many of us in a variety of ways.  First Minister, Arlene Foster, has told MLAs about a 41-year-old woman in Northern Ireland who has tried to take her own life on three occasions after losing her job to Covid-19.   We are all looking for a glimmer of hope in these depressing times and it has certainly been encouraging to hear promising reports from the early stages in another Covid-19 vaccination trial.  There's still a long way to go, of course, but it is nevertheless good to hear that there could be some light around the corner.   We know how hard businesses are trying to adapt to give shoppers what they need during these difficult times and so we are compiling a handy list of local High Street stores and independent outlets that offer an online delivery or click and collect service.  If you would like your business included, please email nidigital@jpress.co.uk with your company name, your sector, and web address.      Enjoy your evening and keep safe.   Valerie Martin, Head of Content     *  If you value our journalism, please consider taking out a digital subscription to the News Letter for as little as £1 for three months.  Along with other benefits, as a subscriber you will now also have access to our new online puzzles with four brand new brain games every day - two crosswords (quick and cryptic), sudoku and a wordwheel. Check out your subscription options here.              Coronavirus NI: Another 14 people die with COVID-19 - 331 diagnosed as having virus - 45 fighting for lives in ICU - total of 427 with virus in our hospitals           The Department of Health dashboard has revealed that another 14 people have died with COVID-19 in NI.                 Northern Ireland volunteers sought for final stage of coronavirus vaccine trials   The UK will be the first country to run final-stage trials of a coronavirus vaccine being developed by a company owned by Johnson and Johnson.           Nichola Mallon urged to set out 'clear timetable' to resolve Northern Ireland's driving test crisis   Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has been urged to set out a timetable for resolving the long backlog in driving test appointments in Northern Ireland.           Robin Swann accused of 'horrifying and then confusing' remarks about prioritising Covid patients   Health Minister Robin Swann has been sharply criticised for making statements about Covid care which an MLA has described as both horrifying and confusing.           NI school to close temporarily after a cluster of Covid-19 cases diagnosed   Craigavon Senior High School's (CSHS) Portadown campus is to close temporarily after a cluster of Covid-19 cases at the school.           Sir Jeffrey Donaldson demand on health staff testing turns heat on Robin Swann   The tension between the DUP and NI's health minister was again on display last night, as Jeffrey Donaldson demanded to know why there is no daily testing for medical staff.           Covid-19 restrictions likely to exacerbate mental health issues, says Michael McBride   The combination of coronavirus restrictions and the onset of winter is set to exacerbate mental health issues across Northern Ireland, the chief medical officer has said.           Triple tragedy in one family should serve as warning to Covid 'conspiracy theorists'   The funeral of a man who is understood to have been the third member of his family to die after catching Covid should stand as a warning to "conspiracy theorists" who deny the power of the virus.           Ben Lowry: The DUP got no credit for trying to get businesses back to normal   All week there has been fierce criticism of the stalemate at Stormont, over Covid restrictions.                 View more on Coronavirus

Please note Due to the unprecedented nature of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic we have launched this new daily newsletter to keep you up to date with the latest official information and advice. How to opt out of these emails We are sending these daily Coronavirus email bulletins in addition to our daily newsletter emails. If you would like to opt out of only these additional Public Interest emails, and continue to receive your regular daily newsletters, please click here.         You have received this email as you have an account on the News Letter, published by JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. To manage your individual newsletter preferences with us, please click here and log in to your account.     Alternatively you can update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive from JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, or unsubscribe from all future emails.     JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with registered number 11499982, having its registered address at 1, King Street, London, England, EC2V 8AU, United Kingdom. We will process your personal data in accordance with our privacy policy.