Covid-19: Scientists urge final push for NI reopening
By Marie-Louise Connolly
Published
image copyrightPacemaker
image captionThe NI Executive has eased some lockdown restrictions in recent weeks, including on indoor hospitality from Monday
One final push is required by the public to ensure Northern Ireland s reopening is a success, a group of scientists has said.
The Independent Scientific Advocacy Group (ISAG) is a multidisciplinary group of scientists, academics and researchers based across the UK.
The group is independent of government.
It said people s actions could determine the future, especially for the hospitality sector which has borne the brunt of the economic damage.
BBC News
By Marie-Louise Connolly
Published
image captionSister Joanna Sloan received the first Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland on 8 December
More than one million people in Northern Ireland have received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to the latest government figures.
That is about 69% of the adult population.
Patricia Donnelly, who leads NI s Covid vaccination programme, said she was determined to maintain momentum .
The 28-year-old County Down woman was applauded by colleagues after being given the Pfizer/BioNTech jab.
Much has happened since then.
Patricia Donnelly said health officials will keep vaccinating people as quickly as supplies allow .
BBC News
By Marie-Louise Connolly
Published
image captionMore cases of the Indian variant have been identified in NI
There has been a slight increase in the number of Indian variant cases in Northern Ireland.
BBC News NI understands there are now 16 cases. Last week 12 cases were confirmed.
The Public Health Agency said it would not comment until the official figures are published on Thursday.
While the Indian variant is thought to be more transmissible, at this stage there is no increase in the number of people being hospitalised.
While small, the increase in cases is worth noting as scientists believe it is likely to become the more transmissible strain of the virus.
Covid-19: More Indian variant cases found in NI
By Marie-Louise Connolly
Published
image copyrightGetty Images
There has been an increase in the number of cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
BBC News NI understands there are now at least 12 cases of the variant.
It is unclear whether the additional cases are linked and the Public Health Agency would not confirm where they were found or how many were linked to travel.
While there has been a small increase in the overall number of positive Covid-19 cases in NI, it is understood health officials at this stage are not overly concerned.