NI's daily coronavirus infection rate soars to more than 2,000 cases for first time

An SDLP petition to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly in an attempt to "compel" Education Minister Peter Weir to keep schools closed has been successful.

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Subscribe              Dec 30, 2020           Good afternoon,   Today's headlines are dominated by yet more sobering coronavirus statistics from the Department of Health which reveal that 2,143 new infections have been recorded in Northern Ireland.  There have been another six Covid-related deaths.   This is the biggest daily rise in cases since the pandemic began and the first time the number of infections recorded in 24 hours has risen to more than 2,000.   Meanwhile, approval for the Oxford / AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine was announced by UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock this morning. The jab is expected to be rolled out in Northern Ireland next week.   Thank you for reading this daily coronavirus bulletin from the News Letter team and for your support for our journalism this year.  It is more important than ever that the public in Northern Ireland have access to fact-checked, accurate information, so if you haven't already, then please consider taking out a digital subscription with us from just £1 a month.  Check out your subscription options here.    Stay safe, Valerie Martin, Head of Content.            Assembly to be recalled in bid to force Education Minister Peter Weir to keep NI schools shut           An SDLP petition to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly in an attempt to "compel" Education Minister Peter Weir to keep schools closed has been successful.                 Robin Swann welcomes AstraZeneca vaccine approval but warns of 'most challenging' weeks ahead in pandemic   Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann welcomed the approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.           Police reminder on 'curfew' rules   Police have issued a warning to anyone thinking of breaking the 8pm 'curfew'.           PSNI hit another 61 people with £200 Covid fines over Christmas period   The latest statistics are out regarding the numbers of fines and other punishments meted out to people deemed to be in breach of coronavirus laws.           NI health service braced for mid-January surge after record number of coronavirus cases, says BMA NI chair Dr Tom Black   A record high number of coronavirus cases has been recorded in Northern Ireland, amid a warning the pressure on the health service will "peak" in the weeks ahead.           This is how long it takes for a Covid vaccine to work - and how long it might last   The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), meaning millions of people in the UK will be able to be vaccinated.           Here are 9 political leaders and UK celebrities who been vaccinated against Covid   Since mid-December there has been hope that the pandemic could be coming to an end, as the first wave of vaccines was rolled out.                 View more news

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.

New record as 1,566 new coronavirus cases are recorded in Northern Ireland

A leading doctor says that most nursing home residents in Northern Ireland have now got the Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine - but that over 10% of patients with the virus will could have long Covid in 2021.

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Subscribe              Dec 29, 2020           Good afternoon,   Welcome to your daily coronavirus news bulletin from the News Letter.  I hope you find it informative.   Today's total of 1,566 new cases of coronavirus is the highest ever recorded in Northern Ireland. Another 14 Covid-related deaths have also sadly been confirmed.   This massive increase speaks for itself and is a sobering reminder that the virus is very much in our midst.   Today's statistics come as Patricia McKeown, regional secretary of trade union Unison, said "all of the unions involved in education" are calling for schools to remain shut.   Thanks for reading and stay safe.   Valerie Martin, Head of Content.   * Thank you for your support for our journalism this year. It is more important than ever that the public in Northern Ireland have access to fact-checked, accurate information, so if you haven't already, then please consider taking out a digital subscription with us from just £1 a month.            Most NI care home residents now vaccinated - but 'huge problem' expected with Long Covid in 2021           A leading doctor says that most nursing home residents in Northern Ireland have now got the Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine - but that over 10% of patients with the virus will could have long Covid in 2021.                 History-making NI grandmother receives second Pfizer vaccine dose   A grandmother who became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine earlier this month following its clinical approval has been given her second dose.           Russia has the third highest Covid death toll in the world - after admitting its previous figures were false   The Russian government has admitted that more than three times more people have died from Covid in the country than initially claimed.           Government coronavirus briefings prompts spike in demand for 999 services - centres fielding 105,000 calls a day   Government briefings have prompted surges in 999 calls during the coronavirus pandemic as demand for emergency services has fallen during traditional peak times.           Trade unions calling for NI schools to stay shut due to coronavirus, says Unison regional secretary Patricia McKeown   Northern Ireland schools should stay shut, the largest trade union in the Northern Ireland health service has said.           Hundreds of UK tourists left Switzerland 'under cover of darkness' when told to quarantine   Hundreds of UK tourists left a Swiss ski resort "under the cover of darkness," despite being told to self-isolate for 10 days.           Nurses headed towards danger to help in World War I, as some brave people always do in difficult situations   A new plaque in Belfast City Hall remembers nurses who served in the Great War.                 View more news

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.