Coronavirus briefing: Poignant scenes across Northern Ireland

NHS workers joined the public and politicians at 11am today to observe a minute's silence to remember the key workers who have died with coronavirus.

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              Apr 28, 2020           Good evening,  There were poignant scenes across Northern Ireland on Tuesday, as the community observed a minute's silence in memory of key workers who have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic. The acts of tribute were particularly poignant in hospitals where health workers thought of fallen colleagues.  The tributes came as it was confirmed that 20 more people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland.  One of the impacts of the extended lockdown could be an increase in instances of domestic violence. The PSNI said they have received almost 2,000 calls for help from domestic abuse victims in Northern Ireland over three weeks during the coronavirus pandemic.  Tough new laws to combat domestic violence are being introduced at the Stormont Assembly and the worst perpetrators will face up to 14 years in prison. It was also disturbing to read about the abuse that supermarket workers in Northern Ireland have been receiving. An anonymous worker in the Province said the abuse ranged from being sworn at to death threats as certain members of the public rebel against social distancing rules. Stay safe, Alistair Bushe, Editor Here are today's headlines:  Another 20 people have died after contracting coronavirus in Northern Ireland, it has been confirmed. Statistics from the Department of Health reveal that another 34 people have tested positive for the virus. In the last 24 hours another 807 people were tested for coronavirus. Police received almost 2,000 calls for help from domestic abuse victims in Northern Ireland over three weeks during the coronavirus pandemic. Tough new laws are being introduced at the Stormont Assembly and the worst perpetrators will face up to 14 years in prison. Temporary lockdown restrictions aimed at curbing the disease's spread are forcing people to spend more time at home. Justice Minister Naomi Long said: "It is important that our response is not temporary or fleeting as domestic abuse is neither." A Ballymena diagnostics company is working around the clock to manufacture millions of COVID-19 rapid test kits amid the ongoing pandemic. Based in Ballymena Business Centre, Prestige Diagnostics UK is exporting its range of Coronavirus testing devices to its global network of distributors across the UK and Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula and South America. With a need for testing set to continue for months, if not years, founder and Managing Director Alan Rodgers said the firm is preparing to "significantly ramp up" its operations to meet unprecedented demand for its product range. The UK death toll now stands at 21,678, an increase of 586 on the previous day.           PICTURES: 13 images of NHS workers and the public applauding key workers who have died with COVID-19           NHS workers joined the public and politicians at 11am today to observe a minute's silence to remember the key workers who have died with coronavirus.                 Thanking our heroes takes a 'surreal twist' in NI village   Outpourings of thanks and support to our NHS Heroes are, quite rightly, on display all over Northern Ireland.           Coronavirus: Watch as NI care home resident emerges from isolation after defeating Covid-19 to reach 98th birthday   Next week a resident of a Portadown nursing home will celebrate her 98th birthday, one which she has had to defeat Covid-19 to reach.                 View more on Coronavirus

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