AQE post-primary transfer test cancelled + high street voucher scheme not going ahead as planned

AQE (Association for Quality Education) has announced its decision to cancel the 2021 post-primary transfer test.

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Subscribe              Jan 13, 2021           Dear reader,   A Northern Ireland man has described how he had to learn to walk and eat again after spending 45 days in intensive care with Covid-19.   Colin Price, 56, was admitted to hospital last November for a separate complaint, before it also emerged he had Covid-19.    In a video posted online, Mr Price said that he was now off a ventilator and out of intensive care, but recalled how his family had been called in to say their farewells when he was at his most ill.    The consistent tally of Covid-19 related deaths in the Province sadly continued on Wednesday, as the Department of Health confirmed another 19 fatalities related to the virus.    Another 1,145 people have also tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, That means that 8,325 people have recorded positive Covid tests in the last seven days.    The latest stats came as a top emergency medicine doctor here said that waiting times at emergency departments in Northern Ireland are "simply shocking" and "like nothing I've ever seen".    Dr Paul Kerr, vice president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Northern Ireland, spoke after new statistics showed that despite fewer patients going through the doors of A&Es here in September, more people are being forced to wait over 12 full hours for care.   Alistair Bushe   Editor Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier.  We also have a special offer for you - 21% off all our monthly or annual subscription packages - when you use the code 21NEWYEAR between now and Sunday, January 17. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           CANCELLED - the 2021 AQE post-primary transfer test           AQE (Association for Quality Education) has announced its decision to cancel the 2021 post-primary transfer test.                 Northern Ireland lockdown likely to last beyond February 6, says CMO   The latest pandemic lockdown in Northern Ireland is likely to last beyond February 6, the region's chief medical officer has said.           Larne ICU nurse's Covid risk plea after losing husband to virus   An intensive care nurse who lost her health worker husband to Covid last week said she "could have cried" at the number of people not wearing masks and social distancing when she went to buy clothes for his funeral.           Covid vaccine: PM accused of 'shunning an army of trained pharmacists'   The Prime Minister was accused in the House of Commons today of "shunning" the nation's network of pharmacists when it comes to vaccinating the population against coronavirus.           LIVE BLOG: Popular high street voucher scheme will not go ahead this year   The much lauded high street voucher scheme designed to help support local retailers affected by Covid-19 lockdowns will not go ahead as originally planned.           Fake NHS Covid vaccine scam texts are being sent - how to spot them   Members of the public should remain vigilant over fraudulent text messages related to Covid vaccines, falsely claiming to be from the NHS.           Ministers pledge to clamp down on retailers 'gaming' the Covid restrictions   Ministers from the NI Executive are to hold urgent talks with large retailers, local councils and the Health and Safety Executive in an effort to address concerns around Covid regulation breaches.           This is how much COVID-19 has impacted the death rate in NI   How many people have really died of coronavirus?           All four major churches open to using premises as Covid-19 vaccine centres   The Province's major churches have all indicated an openness to the idea of using their premises as vaccination centres, administered by staff from local chemists.           Digital 'Covid health passports' are being trialled - here's why it's controversial   The idea of issuing a 'vaccine passport' or health certificate to those who have been inoculated against Covid-19 and therefore retain the antibodies required to stave off future infections has proven controversial.           IT equipment support for 10 schools in Antrim and Newtownabbey   Ten schools in Antrim and Newtownabbey are to benefit from IT equipment through the Covid-19 Community Support Fund.                 View more news

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