Coronavirus: NI could emerge from lockdown well before December suggests Arlene Foster

Another two people die in NI after testing positive for coronavirus bringing death toll to 449

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              May 13, 2020           Dear reader The lockdown exit plan announced by the Stormont Executive on Tuesday continued to be a real talking point on Wednesday.  With ministers having been widely criticised by business leaders for the lack of a timeline in the published document, first minister Arlene Foster sought to clarify the situation today.  On a visit to Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn, Mrs Foster said she hoped that Northern Ireland would be "long past" the final step of the Executive's plan for easing lockdown by December.  However, the first minister also sounded words of caution, warning that a second wave of infections here could yet cause a delay down the line.  The Department of Health also announced that another two  people with Covid-19 have lost their lives in Northern Ireland. The total number of people who have died here with coronavirus is now 449.  Stay safe Alistair Bushe Editor Latest news: Another 2 people have died after testing positive for COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Health The latest statistics reveal that one person died within the last 24 hours - and another death was reported within the last 24 hours but did not take place then. Now according to the dashboard 449 people have died in NI. And the number who have passed away in our different Local Government Area's are: Belfast - 136, Armagh City - 50, Antrim and Newtownabbey - 39, Lisburn and Castlereagh - 39, Mid and East Antrim - 35, Newry, Mourne and Down - 31, Ards and North Down - 30, Causeway Coast and Glens - 30, Mid Ulster - 23, Derry City and Strabane - 23, Fermanagh and Omagh - 10, Not Known - 6 See the Department of Health dashboard here A Carrickfergus paramedic is now recuperating at home after being hospitalised with coronavirus Joan Turner, who has worked for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for 35 years, received a round of applause from frontline staff as she took her leave from the Mater Hospital yesterday (Tuesday) following a 10-day battle with the virus. Her brother, DUP MLA David Hilditch, posted a video of Joan's send-off by staff at the Belfast Trust's Covid-19 hospital. He said: "Great news, my sister Joan (a paramedic) being released from the Mater Covid-19 ward, a big thank you to the medical team and all staff involved .... thank you." Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said she hopes to be "long past" the final step of the Executive's five-part plan for easing lockdown by December Frustration was expressed by some in the Northern Ireland business community on Tuesday when the plan was announced without any time frame. Mrs Foster made the comments to media during a visit to a primary school in Lisburn, Co Antrim on Wednesday morning. "We will be past stage five by that time (December 5). I would be very much hopeful (of) that, unless there has been a second peak or a second wave of this," she said, adding she hoped this was achieved "long before December 5". Some of Northern Ireland's most distinguished classical performers, including Sir James and Lady Galway will be taking part in a special online gala concert later this month Hosted by Northern Ireland Opera and introduced by Sean Rafferty, the concert entitled At Home for Heroes, will be screened on the NI Opera YouTube channel and is intended as a tribute to NHS and frontline workers. Developed from an original idea by the Belfast musician Richard Yarr, details of all those performing from their homes will be released in the days ahead. Roy Bailie, chairman of Northern Ireland Opera said: ''Covid-19 has impacted every person in Northern Ireland, but none more so that our NHS personnel and frontline workers. As musicians, we appreciate just how important collaboration and teamwork are, and this is our small way of saying thank you to the people who have been outstanding at both. ''This is going to be a very special evening of appreciation from some of Northern Ireland's most outstanding classical stars.''               Another two people die in NI after testing positive for coronavirus bringing death toll now 449 - find out how many people have died so far in your local area           Another 2 people have died after testing positive for COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Health.                 Coronavirus: NI could emerge from lockdown well before December suggests Arlene Foster   Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said she hopes to be "long past" the final step of the Executive's five-part plan for easing lockdown by December.           Carrickfergus paramedic is applauded from hospital after Covid-19 battle   A Carrickfergus paramedic is now recuperating at home after being hospitalised with coronavirus.           Coronavirus: Survey shows that just 5% of small Northern Irish firms axed staff ... but many more may follow soon   A mere 5% of small firms in Northern Ireland have actually made employees redundant during the Covid-19 crisis – but there are fears this could soon ramp up in a big way.           Coronavirus: NI woman's Captain Tom painting helps Premier League Wolves with NHS fundraising drive   A Lurgan woman has helped raise funds for an English Premier League team's NHS appeal by contributing a painting of Captain Tom Moore.                 View more on Coronavirus

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