BreakingOne further coronavirus-linked death in NI
There has been one further Covid-19 related death recorded by Northern Ireland’s Department of Health, bringing its total to 546.
The department’s daily figures are mostly comprised of hospital deaths and in which a patient had previously tested positive for the virus.
The latest figures on the department’s dashboard show there have been no further confirmed positive cases of the virus, meaning the total still stands at 4,871.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Unison says RQIA board resignees 'must not be sidelined'
BBCCopyright: BBC
Patricia McKeown, of the trade union Unison, says the mass resignation of board members at RQIA - the watchdog which oversees NI's care
homes - is an "unprecedented move".
"We only learned about it like everyone else yesterday
in the press," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback.
"We are very concerned that among the issues we see
being cited for their resignation include issues that Unison was raising for a
considerable period of time.
"This is a very serious situation, no time for papering
over the cracks.
"The resigned board must not now simply be sidelined
and replaced and all will be well again at the RQIA.
“They have got to be heard,
there must be a public inquiry.”
Tune in to the daily briefing a little earlier than usual
Today's Executive Office coronavirus briefing is a little earlier today.
We're expecting it just after 14:00 BST, so tune in then to watch the update here on the live page.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Groups call for inquiry into care sector's handling of Covid-19
Now, Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International has said his
organisation, the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) and trade union Unison, are jointly calling for an independent public inquiry into the handling of
Covid-19 in the care and nursing home sector in Northern Ireland.
Mr Corrigan said the call for the inquiry was "against
the backdrop of a very high number of deaths of residents".
"The heart of this story, it is not about bureaucracy,
it is about over 400 people having lost their lives in our care and nursing
homes through Covid-related infection," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback
programme.
"Over 400 families grieving and that amounts to over
half of all Covid-related deaths in Northern Ireland."
Nisra figures released last week indicate that people who live in care homes have accounted for more than a half (51.4%) of Covid-linked deaths in Northern Ireland.
DUP MP calls for PM to share England's lockdown plan with NI
DUP Westminster leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
has urged the prime minister to share information relating to the latest
lockdown easing in England with the Stormont Executive.
"Will the prime
minister commit to share the rationale, data, evidence and advice upon which
these decisions are based with the NI executive, our chief medical officer and
chief scientific adviser to ensure we continue to have this co-ordinated
approach?," he asked of Boris Johnson.
BBCCopyright: BBC
The prime minister did not say yes, but told the Commons: "We'll continue to work together, as we have done throughout, to share information."
There has been no agreement yet among Stormont ministers about whether NI should follow suit.
'Limit gatherings which take place indoors'
As reported earlier, the prime minister has
announced a significant easing of the lockdown in England from 4 July.
People there will now be allowed to meet one other household at a time indoors or outdoors, subject to social distancing – that can be in homes or elsewhere. They will be allowed to stay overnight.
AFPCopyright: AFP
These measures will not be exclusive, but it is not the same as a bubble where distancing is not required, meaning family members who live apart cannot hug.
Rules on who can meet outside will be relaxed. Two households of any size will be able to meet subject to social distancing.
In all of the settings, there is a new piece of advice which we will be asking people to follow: "limit gatherings which take place indoors".
Further guidance will be published later.
What else will change in England?
Many businesses which had
been closed will be allowed to re-open in England on 4 July.
Pubs and
restaurants will be allowed to open both indoors and outdoors if Covid safe.
Nightclubs will not. Tourism facilities to reopen include hotels, Bed and
Breakfasts, campsites and caravan parks.
Hair salons, barbers, theme parks, outdoor gyms, playgrounds and arcades will
be able reopen, as will libraries and community centres. Theatres and concert
halls will be allowed to open their doors, but not for live performances.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Indoor gyms, beauty salons, nail bars, swimming pools and water parks will not be able to reopen at this stage.
The prime minister also announced that places of worship will be able to reopen for prayers and services, including weddings with a maximum of 30 people.
Read more about this on the main BBC News live page here
Where are we on the executive's recovery plan?
Here’s an update on where we’ve got to on the Executive’s five-step Coronavirus recovery plan.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says from 4 July the two metre rule is to be relaxed to "one metre plus" where 2m is not possible - but people will be encouraged to have mitigation in place to reduce transmission.
He says: "We can now go further and safely ease the lockdown in England
"At every stage, caution will remain our watch word. Each step will be conditional and reversible."
Minding your head
Even as we slowly emerge from lockdown, it’s important to take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Public Health Agency has a blog which looks at how the pandemic has impacted on our mental health.
Eddie Lynch said it was a "very worrying development".
He said it would be an "added strain" on families already concerned about loved ones in care homes.
The board members said they were not consulted on a number of decisions taken in their name by the Department of Health, including reducing the number of care home inspections and redeploying senior members of staff, including their chief executive Olive Macleod.
He’s one of the world’s leading infectious disease experts. The man who was part of the team that discovered the deadly Ebola virus in 1976 and who also pioneered research into HIV/Aids.
Prof Peter Piot has spent his life fighting deadly infectious diseases, but never once contracted one- until the coronavirus.
Video content
Video caption: The virus hunter who got CovidThe virus hunter who got Covid
Warning that coronavirus could leave thousands with lung damage
Jim Reed and Sophie Hutchinson
BBC News
Tens of thousands of people will need to be recalled to hospital after a serious Covid-19 infection to check if they have been left with permanent lung damage, doctors have told the BBC.
Experts are concerned a significant proportion could be left with lung scarring, known as pulmonary fibrosis.
Video content
Video caption: Coronavirus: Radiologist demonstrates how lungs can be damagedCoronavirus: Radiologist demonstrates how lungs can be damaged
The condition is irreversible and symptoms can include severe shortness of breath, coughing and fatigue.
NI's chief scientific adviser says the current 2m social distancing regulations will still apply indoors, but said there may be "various mitigations" if this can not be achieved, specifically in relation to taking care of small children.
"There is nothing magic about two metres, but the closer you are to other people the more likely the virus is to transmit," Prof Young told BBC Radio Ulster.
"We encourage people to adhere to that as much as possible.
"Two metres will always be better than 1m in terms of limiting the spread of the virus."
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Prof Young says that when 2m is not possible then there are "various mitigations" which could be followed "to help reduce the risks".
"Close attention to hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, wearing face coverings, but 2m will always be better than 1m in terms of limiting the spread of this virus."
Prof Young said when taking care of small children, these "various mitigations" could apply.
"It's a new way of living, but we all need to stick to it to as much as possible in order to keep the virus at its current very low level."
'We are going to have to act a bit differently'
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
NI Secretary Brandon Lewis has been speaking ahead of prime minister Boris Johnson's much-anticipated announcement later about the next batch of changes to the lockdown in England.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the cabinet would meet later this morning to hear the views of the government's chief medical and scientific advisers before making a "final decision".
Mr Lewis was challenged over one of the expected changes that would reduce social distancing to 1m and allow pubs to open. Will pub customers really follow the social distancing rules after a few drinks on a busy Friday night?
"I take the point and that’s why we will be issuing guidelines as well so they [pubs] can have some confidence about what is expected of them to create a safe environment, both for their staff and for their customers," he replied.
Mr Lewis was also asked whether people would willingly give their real names and contact details to pub staff so they could be tracked down if they come into contact with an infected person - another of the ideas not yet ruled out.
“The reality is we’re all going to have to get used to this new kind of normal as we go forward… where we have to take some self responsibility to ensure the safety of ourselves, our friends, our family, and the people in our community."
Maths formula to be used to decide football season
BBCCopyright: BBC
The Northern Ireland Football League has decided that a mathematical formula will be used by an independent panel to finalise Premiership positions, it is understood.
It comes after the 12 clubs failed to reach a unanimous decision on how to resume the campaign.
The NIFL board met on Monday night to decide whether to end the season using a mathematical formula or use the positions as they stand after 31 games.
Leaders Linfield are four points clear of Coleraine in the standings.
Olympic gold medallist, Lady Mary Peters, has urged the elderly to "keep active" during the coronavirus lockdown with a series of online videos she has launched in association with Age NI.
The Move With Mary videos cater for "every level of capability, ranging from simple seated stretches, to balance, strength and gentle aerobic exercises suited to older people".
"To me, movement is life; it's so important as you get older to keep active," Lady Mary said.
"These exercises are nice and gentle, and trust me, they will help you to feel good during this difficult period of lockdown.
"Hopefully we can create a little virtual community of what I'm calling my 'golden oldies' all doing these daily workouts together."
Linda Robinson, chief executive of Age NI, said: "The British Geriatrics Society has warned that 'lockdown and social distancing measures have led to dangerously low levels of physical activity in older people, which, if not addressed as a matter of urgency, will prove to be detrimental to their physical and mental health'.
"We need to do all we can to avoid further loss of independence or the need for additional medical treatment in the future."
Children's commissioner expects special school guidance within weeks
Northern Ireland children's commissioner says many parents of children with special educational needs feel
abandoned.
Koulla Yiasouma says families feel they have not been considered in plans to reopen schools.
Guidance specifically for children with special educational needs is due to be published in the coming weeks.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Earlier we reported how one Londonderry father, whose son has autism, feels forgotten about.
David Topping says he does not know when or how his son will return to school.
Ms Yiasouma told BBC Radio Foyle he is not alone.
“The word that has been used quite a lot with us is abandoned, that they have not been considered.
“Solutions have not been found," she says.
'Reliable' broadband can help economic recovery
The internet has been a boon for many people during the coronavirus outbreak.
A third of homes in rural areas of Northern Ireland do not have access to superfast broadband.
Good Morning Ulster spoke to family who have been struggling to work and study during lockdown.
Allen Irwin of the digital network business Openreach told the programme that by March of next year up to 60% of homes here "will have access to full-fibre technology".
"It is not to say that we shouldn't be doing more and
we do want to do more in those rural areas," he said.
"We have done extensive work with a programme called
Our Community Fibre Partnership which is looking to work with small community
groups to get full-fibre deployed in those more rural areas right across
Northern Ireland.
"Northern Ireland is in a race with all other countries
to make sure that their broadband is future-proofed, reliable and faster and
able to attract things like foreign direct investors into Northern Ireland to
support the Covid recovery."
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
BreakingOne further coronavirus-linked death in NI
There has been one further Covid-19 related death recorded by Northern Ireland’s Department of Health, bringing its total to 546.
The department’s daily figures are mostly comprised of hospital deaths and in which a patient had previously tested positive for the virus.
The latest figures on the department’s dashboard show there have been no further confirmed positive cases of the virus, meaning the total still stands at 4,871.
Unison says RQIA board resignees 'must not be sidelined'
Patricia McKeown, of the trade union Unison, says the mass resignation of board members at RQIA - the watchdog which oversees NI's care homes - is an "unprecedented move".
"We only learned about it like everyone else yesterday in the press," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback.
"We are very concerned that among the issues we see being cited for their resignation include issues that Unison was raising for a considerable period of time.
"This is a very serious situation, no time for papering over the cracks.
"The resigned board must not now simply be sidelined and replaced and all will be well again at the RQIA.
“They have got to be heard, there must be a public inquiry.”
Tune in to the daily briefing a little earlier than usual
Today's Executive Office coronavirus briefing is a little earlier today.
We're expecting it just after 14:00 BST, so tune in then to watch the update here on the live page.
Groups call for inquiry into care sector's handling of Covid-19
We reported earlier on the resignation of nine RQIA board members over claims they were not consulted on key decisions taken during the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International has said his organisation, the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) and trade union Unison, are jointly calling for an independent public inquiry into the handling of Covid-19 in the care and nursing home sector in Northern Ireland.
Mr Corrigan said the call for the inquiry was "against the backdrop of a very high number of deaths of residents".
"The heart of this story, it is not about bureaucracy, it is about over 400 people having lost their lives in our care and nursing homes through Covid-related infection," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.
"Over 400 families grieving and that amounts to over half of all Covid-related deaths in Northern Ireland."
Nisra figures released last week indicate that people who live in care homes have accounted for more than a half (51.4%) of Covid-linked deaths in Northern Ireland.
DUP MP calls for PM to share England's lockdown plan with NI
Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political reporter
DUP Westminster leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has urged the prime minister to share information relating to the latest lockdown easing in England with the Stormont Executive.
"Will the prime minister commit to share the rationale, data, evidence and advice upon which these decisions are based with the NI executive, our chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser to ensure we continue to have this co-ordinated approach?," he asked of Boris Johnson.
The prime minister did not say yes, but told the Commons: "We'll continue to work together, as we have done throughout, to share information."
Yesterday, First Minister Arlene Foster said the executive would be engaging with officials in London today about Number 10's decision to relax social distancing rules from 2m (6ft) to 1m.
There has been no agreement yet among Stormont ministers about whether NI should follow suit.
'Limit gatherings which take place indoors'
As reported earlier, the prime minister has announced a significant easing of the lockdown in England from 4 July.
People there will now be allowed to meet one other household at a time indoors or outdoors, subject to social distancing – that can be in homes or elsewhere. They will be allowed to stay overnight.
These measures will not be exclusive, but it is not the same as a bubble where distancing is not required, meaning family members who live apart cannot hug.
Rules on who can meet outside will be relaxed. Two households of any size will be able to meet subject to social distancing.
In all of the settings, there is a new piece of advice which we will be asking people to follow: "limit gatherings which take place indoors".
Further guidance will be published later.
What else will change in England?
Many businesses which had been closed will be allowed to re-open in England on 4 July.
Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open both indoors and outdoors if Covid safe.
Nightclubs will not. Tourism facilities to reopen include hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and caravan parks.
Hair salons, barbers, theme parks, outdoor gyms, playgrounds and arcades will be able reopen, as will libraries and community centres. Theatres and concert halls will be allowed to open their doors, but not for live performances.
Indoor gyms, beauty salons, nail bars, swimming pools and water parks will not be able to reopen at this stage.
The prime minister also announced that places of worship will be able to reopen for prayers and services, including weddings with a maximum of 30 people.
Read more about this on the main BBC News live page here
Where are we on the executive's recovery plan?
Here’s an update on where we’ve got to on the Executive’s five-step Coronavirus recovery plan.
2m rule to be reduced to 1m in England
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says from 4 July the two metre rule is to be relaxed to "one metre plus" where 2m is not possible - but people will be encouraged to have mitigation in place to reduce transmission.
He says: "We can now go further and safely ease the lockdown in England
"At every stage, caution will remain our watch word. Each step will be conditional and reversible."
Minding your head
Even as we slowly emerge from lockdown, it’s important to take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Public Health Agency has a blog which looks at how the pandemic has impacted on our mental health.
NI health watchdog resignations 'very worrying'
A mass resignation at the watchdog which oversees NI's care homes "could not have come at a worse time", the commissioner for older people has said.
Nine RQIA board members resigned over claims they were not consulted on key decisions taken during the coronavirus pandemic.
Eddie Lynch said it was a "very worrying development".
He said it would be an "added strain" on families already concerned about loved ones in care homes.
The board members said they were not consulted on a number of decisions taken in their name by the Department of Health, including reducing the number of care home inspections and redeploying senior members of staff, including their chief executive Olive Macleod.
Read more here.
The virus hunter who got Covid-19
He’s one of the world’s leading infectious disease experts. The man who was part of the team that discovered the deadly Ebola virus in 1976 and who also pioneered research into HIV/Aids.
Prof Peter Piot has spent his life fighting deadly infectious diseases, but never once contracted one- until the coronavirus.
Video content
Warning that coronavirus could leave thousands with lung damage
Jim Reed and Sophie Hutchinson
BBC News
Tens of thousands of people will need to be recalled to hospital after a serious Covid-19 infection to check if they have been left with permanent lung damage, doctors have told the BBC.
Experts are concerned a significant proportion could be left with lung scarring, known as pulmonary fibrosis.
Video content
The condition is irreversible and symptoms can include severe shortness of breath, coughing and fatigue.
Read more on this story here
'Various mitigations' for indoor meetings
NI's chief scientific adviser says the current 2m social distancing regulations will still apply indoors, but said there may be "various mitigations" if this can not be achieved, specifically in relation to taking care of small children.
"There is nothing magic about two metres, but the closer you are to other people the more likely the virus is to transmit," Prof Young told BBC Radio Ulster.
"We encourage people to adhere to that as much as possible.
"Two metres will always be better than 1m in terms of limiting the spread of the virus."
Prof Young says that when 2m is not possible then there are "various mitigations" which could be followed "to help reduce the risks".
"Close attention to hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, wearing face coverings, but 2m will always be better than 1m in terms of limiting the spread of this virus."
Prof Young said when taking care of small children, these "various mitigations" could apply.
"It's a new way of living, but we all need to stick to it to as much as possible in order to keep the virus at its current very low level."
'We are going to have to act a bit differently'
NI Secretary Brandon Lewis has been speaking ahead of prime minister Boris Johnson's much-anticipated announcement later about the next batch of changes to the lockdown in England.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the cabinet would meet later this morning to hear the views of the government's chief medical and scientific advisers before making a "final decision".
Mr Lewis was challenged over one of the expected changes that would reduce social distancing to 1m and allow pubs to open. Will pub customers really follow the social distancing rules after a few drinks on a busy Friday night?
"I take the point and that’s why we will be issuing guidelines as well so they [pubs] can have some confidence about what is expected of them to create a safe environment, both for their staff and for their customers," he replied.
Mr Lewis was also asked whether people would willingly give their real names and contact details to pub staff so they could be tracked down if they come into contact with an infected person - another of the ideas not yet ruled out.
“The reality is we’re all going to have to get used to this new kind of normal as we go forward… where we have to take some self responsibility to ensure the safety of ourselves, our friends, our family, and the people in our community."
Maths formula to be used to decide football season
The Northern Ireland Football League has decided that a mathematical formula will be used by an independent panel to finalise Premiership positions, it is understood.
It comes after the 12 clubs failed to reach a unanimous decision on how to resume the campaign.
The NIFL board met on Monday night to decide whether to end the season using a mathematical formula or use the positions as they stand after 31 games.
Leaders Linfield are four points clear of Coleraine in the standings.
Read more on this story here.
Call for men who had virus to donate plasma
Men who have had coronavirus are being urged to donate plasma from their blood to be used in research into treatments for Covid-19.
Studies suggest men are more likely to become seriously ill and therefore produce higher levels of antibodies than women.
This means their plasma could be more useful for saving lives.
NHS Blood and Transplant says the plasma could be used to treat hospital patients if trials are successful.
Read more on this story here.
Lady Mary wants 'golden oldies' to keep active
Olympic gold medallist, Lady Mary Peters, has urged the elderly to "keep active" during the coronavirus lockdown with a series of online videos she has launched in association with Age NI.
The Move With Mary videos cater for "every level of capability, ranging from simple seated stretches, to balance, strength and gentle aerobic exercises suited to older people".
"To me, movement is life; it's so important as you get older to keep active," Lady Mary said.
"These exercises are nice and gentle, and trust me, they will help you to feel good during this difficult period of lockdown.
"Hopefully we can create a little virtual community of what I'm calling my 'golden oldies' all doing these daily workouts together."
Linda Robinson, chief executive of Age NI, said: "The British Geriatrics Society has warned that 'lockdown and social distancing measures have led to dangerously low levels of physical activity in older people, which, if not addressed as a matter of urgency, will prove to be detrimental to their physical and mental health'.
"We need to do all we can to avoid further loss of independence or the need for additional medical treatment in the future."
Children's commissioner expects special school guidance within weeks
Northern Ireland children's commissioner says many parents of children with special educational needs feel abandoned.
Koulla Yiasouma says families feel they have not been considered in plans to reopen schools.
Guidance specifically for children with special educational needs is due to be published in the coming weeks.
Earlier we reported how one Londonderry father, whose son has autism, feels forgotten about.
David Topping says he does not know when or how his son will return to school.
Ms Yiasouma told BBC Radio Foyle he is not alone.
“The word that has been used quite a lot with us is abandoned, that they have not been considered.
“Solutions have not been found," she says.
'Reliable' broadband can help economic recovery
The internet has been a boon for many people during the coronavirus outbreak.
A third of homes in rural areas of Northern Ireland do not have access to superfast broadband.
Good Morning Ulster spoke to family who have been struggling to work and study during lockdown.
Allen Irwin of the digital network business Openreach told the programme that by March of next year up to 60% of homes here "will have access to full-fibre technology".
"It is not to say that we shouldn't be doing more and we do want to do more in those rural areas," he said.
"We have done extensive work with a programme called Our Community Fibre Partnership which is looking to work with small community groups to get full-fibre deployed in those more rural areas right across Northern Ireland.
"Northern Ireland is in a race with all other countries to make sure that their broadband is future-proofed, reliable and faster and able to attract things like foreign direct investors into Northern Ireland to support the Covid recovery."