More than 20 deaths and 1,600 new cases of Covid-19 in two days in Northern Ireland

The figures come after Northern Ireland’s health minister urged the public to strictly adhere to the new lockdown measures. File picture of a Covid test. 

Northern Ireland has seen more than 1,600 new cases of coronavirus in the last two days.

On the third day of a fresh lockdown in the region, the Department of Health announced an additional 1,634 positive cases in 48 hours.

The deaths of 20 patients who had tested positive for the virus were also notified on Monday.

The figures come after Northern Ireland’s health minister urged the public to strictly adhere to the new lockdown measures.

Robin Swann called on everyone to “play their part” during the next six weeks, which he described as a “crucial period” in the pandemic.

Businesses across Northern Ireland closed once more as the new measures came into effect from St Stephen's Day.

This week – December 26 to January 2 – sees additional restrictions in place, including a form of curfew in operation from 8pm, with shops closed from that time and all indoor and outdoor gatherings prohibited until 6am.

The sweeping measures also involve the closure of non-essential retail and close contact services such as hairdressers for the next six weeks.

Hospitality outlets are limited to takeaway services.

Mr Swann said: “We need another huge collective effort across society to push down Covid infection rates.

“We do that by reducing our contacts with others, by staying at home, by keeping our distance from others if we need to be outdoors for good reason, and by wearing a face covering and washing our hands.

“This will save lives and ease the pressures on our health service at this most challenging time.

“I know how tough 2020 has been and how fed up we all are with this virus. But I am confident we can all pull together once again at this critical time.” He said the new year has “renewed hope with the vaccine rollout”, but added: “We need a concerted and united push in the next few months to get us to a better place.

“Please stay at home as much as possible. Please don’t be tempted to visit friends this week. It’s not just about complying with the regulations, it’s about keeping yourself and others safe.

“A New Year’s Eve house party would not just be against the law. It could be a super-spreader event, could leave people very seriously ill and could even cost lives.” The Northern Ireland Executive is underlining the “stay at home” message this week with adverts on TV and radio.

Meanwhile, Colin Neill, of Hospitality Ulster, said the sector did not want another lockdown, but supported the Stormont Executive “with a heavy heart”.

He warned hospitality cannot sustain repeated lockdown, with some businesses having to make staff redundant as they can no longer afford the employer cost of the furlough scheme.

“Just before the lockdown, I spoke to one employer who has five premises, the bill for just furloughing staff alone for the six-week period would be £35,000, he has had no income for most of the year, can’t afford it, so all those staff will be made redundant,” he told the BBC.