Covid-19 in NI: Five deaths and 1,039 new cases

Stormont’s chief scientist has defended the evidence base that guided ministerial decisions to close down sections of Northern Ireland’s economy.

There have been five further Covid-19 linked deaths reported in the last 24-hour reporting period in Northern Ireland and 1,039 new cases of the virus, the Department of Health has announced.

The death toll recorded by the department now stands at 629.