'Urgent intervention': Six-week lockdown to start in Northern Ireland from St Stephen's Day

On Thursday, Northern Ireland's Department of Health’s dashboard revealed a further 12 people with Covid-19 had died in Northern Ireland, bringing the region’s toll to 1,154. Picture: PA

A six-week lockdown starting on St Stephen's Day has been agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive, it is understood.

Ministers met for several hours on Thursday into the evening as the region struggles to suppress the virus.