Arlene Foster defends relaxations as Northern Ireland hospitals struggle with surging admissions

Healthcare workers walk towards the main entrance of Craigavon Area Hospital Picture: PA

Arlene Foster has defended the pre-Christmas easing of coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland as hospitals struggle to deal with surging admission numbers.

Stormont’s first minister insisted one of the new variants of Covid-19 was a key factor in rocketing case numbers witnessed at the turn of the year.