NI reports 1,066 new Covid-19 cases and one death

Infection Control nurse Colin Clarke looks out from a Covid-19 recovery ward at Craigavon Area Hospital in Co Armagh, Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has recorded 1,066 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

There has also been one further death.

It brings the total number of cases in the North to more than 20,000.

Of these cases, 30% of them have been diagnosed in the last week.

Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín is self-isolating after close family members tested positive for coronavirus, she tweeted.

She will isolate for 14 days.

“I will be working remotely at home and fulfilling my responsibilities.”

My very best wishes to Carál and her family at this challenging time.

Carál has done tremendous work in supporting communities and vulnerable citizens and will continue to do so remotely. https://t.co/MasFh4l5bD

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) October 11, 2020

 

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill wished Ms Ní Chuilín well saying: "Carál has done tremendous work in supporting communities and vulnerable citizens and will continue to do so remotely."

Ms O’Neill has also self-isolated after a family contact contracted the illness.

A hospital consultant in Derry says they are "struggling to find beds" for Covid-19 patients in intensive care today.

The Derry-Strabane area has the highest rate of Covid-19 infection anywhere in Ireland or the UK.

Respiratory consultant at the Altnagelvin Hospital, Martin Kenny, is worried about keeping other services going there.

"Where are we going to be if this keeps happening? We are going to be in great difficulties," said Dr Kenny.

"As of today - and I have just come from the ward - we are struggling to find beds for people who are presenting to the emergency department acutely unwell with Covid.

"If this keeps happening more and more of the background non-Covid services are going to come under pressure."