Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ABSOLUTE ZERO
First day of no Covid deaths in Ulster since March 18
NORTHERN Ireland recorded no Covid-19 deaths yesterday for the first time since March 18, with the total staying at 514.
But Health Minister Robin Swann warned the crisis is still going on and more people will die.
He added: “We’ve all been waiting for a day like this but there are no grounds for complacency.
“To let our guard down now would be an insult to those who have sadly lost their lives.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill also welcomed the news as “heartening”. She added: “Let’s keep working together to have more days like this.” The Department of Health figures do not include details of any fatalities in nursing and care homes.
NO new deaths from coronavirus were recorded in Northern Ireland yesterday – described by Health Minister Robin Swann as “a clear sign of progress”.
It is the first time since March 18 the daily figure has been zero.
But Mr Swann urged the public not to be complacent. He said: “We all have been waiting for a day like this.
“I do believe it’s a clear sign of the progress made in the battle against coronavirus. However, I have to emphasise a serious note of caution.
“There are no grounds whatsoever for complacency – that would be an insult to all those who have sadly lost their lives and to all those who are mourning them.”
The Department of
Health figures reported no new deaths in the last 24-hour reporting period and no newly notified deaths, leaving yesterday’s official figure for Covid-19 fatalities in Northern Ireland at 514.
The number of deaths is just a fraction of the potential 14,000 warned of by Mr Swann in March before strict social distancing rules were enforced.
It comes just 24 hours after the Republic reported no new Covid-19 deaths.
However, the department’s daily update did not include details for fatalities in nursing and care home facilities.
And a further 28 people were confirmed on Tuesday as testing positive for the virus, bringing the total number in Northern Ireland to 4,637.
Mr Swann said: “Covid-19 is still infecting people in our community. Sadly there will be more lives lost in the days and weeks ahead. However, there is a clear downward trend in the rolling average number of cases and deaths that we are reporting.
“If people get it into their heads that this emergency is over, the consequences will be catastrophic.
“A second wave of the virus is also expected in the months ahead so we must keep our defences up.” Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill also welcomed the news as “heartening” though she too warned against complacency.
She said the battle against the virus is not over.
Mrs O’neill added: “Let’s keep working together to have more days like this,
“This battle is not over and we
cannot afford for a single person to become complacent to the threat posed by this deadly virus.”
Mr Swann also said Dominic Cummings has damaged the message about complying with coronavirus rules in Northern Ireland.
He urged people not to be distracted by the controversy surrounding the Prime Minister’s senior adviser and told them to stick to the guidance and regulations set by the Executive. Referring to Mr Cummings and the media attention his trip to Durham has generated, Mr Swann said: “As ill-judged as many of his actions were, I would urge everyone not to lose sight that we are still very much in the midst of this virus.
“The grief and loss of so many families is still far too raw. It is far too early to allow distractions to take away from the key public messages.
“I believe there’s no person, no position or point of privilege that is above the guidance on the rules and regulations, no matter who they are.
“Because this virus is no respecter of any of those three positions, and no one is immune from Covid-19, no matter where they are.
“So, in regards to the damage in the message, yes there has been implications, there will be implications.”
Earlier it was warned some Stormont departments could run out of cash before the end of July due to the cost of battling the pandemic.
Five were affected and one department may have exhausted its funds by June 19.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy introduced a technical mechanism at the Assembly authorising continued spending before more action by lawmakers in the autumn.
The administration has been using millions of pounds to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
Business tax reliefs and special grants for underpressure hoteliers and publicans are among extra costs racked up in a bid to keep the economy on life support.
On Tuesday, Mr Murphy told the Assembly: “Having examined the options the only viable solution is the Assembly’s approval for a further Vote on Account.
“This will provide authority for departments to continue to spend until the detailed Main Estimates can be debated later in the year.”
It’s clear progress but I must emphasise caution ROBIN SWANN BELFAST YESTERDAY