Age not job prioritisation in next stage of NI's Covid vaccine roll-out

Police and teachers in Northern Ireland are diappointed at having been left out of an updated priority list for the vaccine roll-out.

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Subscribe              Feb 26, 2021           Dear reader, As we come to the end of what has been a turbulent week politically in Northern Ireland, there are optimistic signs that brighter times are ahead.  In a week dominated by rows between Northern Ireland's political parties over when our schools should fully reopen, the latest Covid-19 statistics at least offer some measure of hope.  The weekly statistics released on Friday by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) showed that the Province has just recorded its lowest total relating to Covid-19 deaths since October.   A total of 61 deaths relating to the virus occurred between February 13 and 19. The last time there were fewer than 61 deaths in a week was the week ending October 23, 2020. The Department of Health's daily statistics also offered encouraging news. The sad deaths of two people aged over 80 were confirmed, but this total continues the falling trend of Covid deaths in Northern Ireland.  A total of 241 new infections were recorded, which was a fall of 41 on the previous day.  With the Stormont Executive due to reveal details of its proposed route out of lockdown at the start of next week, let's hope we are winning the battle against this awful virus.    Enjoy your weekend.   Alistair Bushe,   Editor     *  With a subscription to the News Letter you can read our online digital edition via our eReader on your desktop or mobile device. A Digital+ subscription will give you unlimited access to our website where you'll see 70% fewer ads. You can also access the interactive puzzles section along with the digital edition. Subscriptions start from £1 a month.            Anger as NI police and teachers left out of vaccine priority groups           Police and teachers in Northern Ireland are diappointed at having been left out of an updated priority list for the vaccine roll-out.                 Lives were needlessly lost to Covid-19 because of dispute within NI Executive claims Health Minister Robin Swann   Politicking and dispute within the Northern Ireland Executive cost lives during the pandemic, the region's Health Minister has claimed.           LIVE UPDATES: Coronavirus NI - Teachers not prioritised as people aged 40-49 next in line for Covid-19 vaccine   People aged between 40 and 49 are the next priority group that will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.           The Queen says UK residents should 'think about other people' and get a Covid vaccine   The Queen has urged those who are reluctant to receive the Covid vaccine to "think about other people" when invited for the jab.           Scientists are working on Covid vaccine pills and nasal sprays   The researchers behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine are looking into the possibility of using pills or nasal sprays as an alternative.           Research into whether a third Covid jab could improve immunity is being done   Scientists are looking at the possible efficacy of a third dose of coronavirus vaccine in increasing the immune response against the virus.           NI records fewest deaths in seven day period since October   The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) has recorded the fewest number of Covid-19 related deaths to occur within a period of seven days for the first time in four months.           A drop in new infections, a drop in hospital admissions, a drop in deaths and a drop in ICU beds occupied by patients with Covid-19 - NI Covid-19 fightback is working   Northern Ireland is without question moving in the right direction concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.           Arlene Foster distances herself from Sammy Wilson description of Robin Swann as 'acting like a poodle'   Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster has distanced herself from comments from an MP accusing the health minister of "acting like a poodle".           Keeping windows open in primary schools will stop Covid spread better than wearing masks   Making sure that windows are left open to allow maximum ventilation is a more effective way of reducing the spread of Covid in primary schools than requiring young children to wear face coverings, according to one of the Government's scientific advisors.                 View more news

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