Health Trust bosses say hospitals could be ‘overwhelmed’ if there is a January coronavirus spike

Five more people die bringing total deaths to 1,129 + 328 PSNI officers currently 'Covid-19 absent', 258 self-isolating

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Subscribe              Dec 14, 2020           Good afternoon More bleak news today from the Department of Health as it is revealed that another five people have died with the virus in the last 24 hours. According to the latest dashboard there are 529 people in the 60-79 age group who have tested positive for having COVID-19 in recent days - and a further 353 people in the 80-years and over age group who have also tested positive. Experts have identified a new variant of Covid-19 which may be responsible for the "faster spread" of the virus in the South East of England. Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned MPs today (Mon 14 Dec) that numbers of the new variant are "increasing rapidly". First Minister, Arlene Foster, has told MLAs that the Northern Ireland Executive will "undoubtedly" meet in the days immediately before or after Christmas to discuss Covid-19 restriction measures. Mrs. Foster did not say nor did she imply that the Northern Ireland Executive would be reviewing the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions from December 23 to 27. And, hospitals could be overwhelmed in January if there is another spike in coronavirus cases, the chief executives of the six health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland have warned. Such a spike in infections was described as "probable" in a hard-hitting statement about the dangers of increased transmission of the virus over Christmas. Keep safe Michael Cousins Deputy digital editor Digital subscriptions to the News Letter are available from only £1 a month for the first 3 months. That will give you unlimited access to our content along with our subscriber only interactive puzzles. 70% fewer ads and with the digital+ option you can also access the newspaper app edition. You can see all the options here.            Arlene Foster concedes NI Executive might have to review restrictions before Christmas           First Minister, Arlene Foster, has told MLAs that the Northern Ireland Executive will "undoubtedly" meet in the days immediately before or after Christmas to discuss Covid-19 restriction measures.                 January Covid spike warning: Health Trust bosses say hospitals could be 'overwhelmed'   Hospitals could be overwhelmed in Janauary if there is another spike in coronavirus cases, the chief executives of the six health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland have warned.           Coronavirus NI: Five more people die bringing total deaths to 1,129 - 419 test positive for virus - 429 in NI hospitals   More bleak news today from the Department of Health as it is revealed that another five people have died with the virus in the last 24 hours.           Coronavirus NI: 328 PSNI officers currently 'Covid-19 absent' and 258 self-isolating   There are currently 328 PSNI officers/ members of staff Covid-19 absent – with 267 of that number self-isolating, it has been revealed.           Covid vaccine for staff and residents at Co Antrim nursing home   Staff and residents at a Co Antrim nursing home have joined the growing number of people in Northern Ireland to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.           Primark says 'safety is highest prioirity' amid scenes of huge queues in out-of-town shopping centre   Primark has said that safety is the firm's "highest priority" after images circulated over the weekend of colossal queues outside its premises – which were advertised as being open all night.                 View more news

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