Coronavirus briefing: Retaining our sense of community spirit

A Coleraine woman who has come through depression, anxiety and insomnia is part of a mobile phone App project which aims to support people emotionally during the Coronavirus lockdown.

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              Apr 17, 2020           Good evening,  For a second consecutive day, Northern Ireland recorded its deadliest 24 hours of deaths related to Covid-19 on Friday.  Just as 18 people with the virus died on Thursday, so the same number was recorded on Friday, bringing the total number of deaths in the Province to 176. With an additional 137 new cases also identified it seems that we are now in the surge period that health minister Robin Swann had predicted was on its way.  We also discovered that previous calculations about Northern Ireland's death toll from coronavirus were incorrect. Deaths in care homes and hospices had not been calculated previously but it was revealed on Friday that there have so far been 41 Covid-19 related deaths in NI care homes.   Despite news of these sad and tragic deaths, it is important for us to remain optimistic, and to retain our sense of community spirit, to be determined that coronavirus can be beaten. To that end, it was great to learn that on Thursday night, a wave of bandsmen and women across Northern Ireland heeded the call to use their instruments in the 8pm tribute for the NHS.  Stay safe and enjoy your weekend Alistair Bushe, Editor Here are today's headlines: Northern Ireland has recorded its deadliest 24 hour period for the second consecutive day since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic Like Thursday, 18 people died in Northern Ireland after testing positive for COVID-19, Friday's Public Health Agency (PHA) surveillance report revealed. Friday's surveillance report reflects deaths in hospitals and does not include deaths in care homes or in the community. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland now stands at 176. Translink has given two trains very special makeovers in support of the #ChaseTheRainbow movement sweeping the nation in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Northern Ireland's public transport operator has recently unveiled the massive 'Trainbows'. The two NI Railways trains have been transformed into moving symbols of hope and solidarity for people as they see them travelling across the network. A further 847 deaths have been reported in UK hospitals. The announcement was made this afternoon by the Department for Health and Social Care. This takes the total to 14,576. A total of 341,551 people have now been tested for the virus in the UK, with 108,692 people testing positive. This week it was announced that the lockdown would last for at least three more weeks.The full official guidance on what you can and can't do during lockdown can be found here             Coronavirus: Naomi applauds mental health App after coming through depression, anxiety and insomnia           A Coleraine woman who has come through depression, anxiety and insomnia is part of a mobile phone App project which aims to support people emotionally during the Coronavirus lockdown.                 'Trainbows' travel with a message of hope across NI   Translink has given two trains very special makeovers in support of the #ChaseTheRainbow movement sweeping the nation in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.           Coronavirus: Here's an update on how many people have tested positive for COVID-19 in your area   There are 2,338 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland - here's how many of them are in your local council area.                 View more on Coronavirus

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