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Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann has warned that “more difficult decisions are needed” in the fight against the coronavirus.
Speaking at a meeting of the Stormont Assembly health committee this morning, Swann referred to an “alarming increase” in the number of positive Covid-19 cases.
An additional 424 cases were confirmed yesterday, the highest daily total since the current testing regimen began.
“We are facing a very serious situation,” he said, repeating his assessment that Northern Ireland is at a crossroads.
“If current trends do not change, if attitudes towards this virus do not harden, in six weeks the number of hospitalized patients will exceed those observed during the first wave, and that is not even the worst case.”
Swann said that since local restrictions were introduced in the Ballymena and BT43 zip code area, which were later extended to the entire region, cases have been reduced by around 50%, while Belfast’s rate has also dropped. slowed down.
He said that there is currently a sustained transmission of Covid-19 in the community in the Derry and Strabane council area.
“Now we are in a place where more difficult decisions are needed. I will come to the Executive later today with a series of proposals,” he added.
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Covid-19-related deaths have accounted for 10.9% of all deaths in Northern Ireland over six months, a government statistics agency found.
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) released data related to the 875 coronavirus-related deaths in the past six months.
The figures show that men had a “significantly higher” death rate related to Covid-19: 69.9 deaths per 100,000 of the male population compared to 45.8 deaths per 100,000 women.
Covid-19 rates were also found to be highest in 20% of the most deprived areas, with 66 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 55.2 per 100,000 people in Northern Ireland as a whole.
Meanwhile, 102 (11.7%) of the 875 deaths related to Covid-19 were people of working age (20 to 69 years), of which the largest group (40 people; 39.2%) corresponded to skilled trades, elementary occupations or processes, Occupational groups of plant and machine operators.
More Covid-19 restrictions likely in Liverpool
A decision is expected today on new coronavirus restrictions for the Liverpool area in the UK.
It is understood that politicians in the region met yesterday with Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock, and a final decision will be made at a meeting chaired today by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said he had been told to expect similar restrictions in the Northeast, where households are prohibited from mingling in public places.
He said: “We have already been told that there will be restrictions and regulations similar to Newcastle and the Northeast, so we are expecting that, but potentially the government could also introduce even stricter measures, so we have to wait now and see what they announce “.
In Liverpool, 1,287 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the seven days to September 27, the equivalent of 258.4 cases per 100,000 people.
The city’s rate is the third-highest in the country, and neighboring Knowsley has the second-highest rate, with 261.8 cases per 100,000.
Anderson said measures to restrict travel, in place in some areas of Wales, had not been introduced, but he believed the government was considering measures to ensure that restaurants only accept reservations.
UK Environment Secretary George Eustice told BBC Breakfast: “I know there are some discussions, as I understand it, are taking place on the situation in Liverpool, but no decisions have been made yet.
“It really is not possible for me to say what they can or cannot do, as I believe there is currently a dialogue between health officials and the local council.
Halton MP Derek Twigg said he and other local MPs had “demanded” a meeting with the Health Minister.
In a statement issued last night, Twigg said: “I raised various concerns and issues and asked for evidence and data on the impact of Covid-19 in our area.
“I was assured that a decision has not yet been made on the additional local restrictions we may face, but it is likely to be decided tomorrow.”
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