Rate of COVID case is rising daily in Northern Ireland; Health experts warns that the condition could worsen more in two weeks

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has expressed concern at the increase in daily COVID-19 cases. With the confirmation of 828 new Corona-virus cases in the last 24 hours, the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland has increased to 16,187. The death toll rose to 586 yesterday, with health experts reporting one further death. It is not okay to ignore lightly that 4,417 cases have been reported in the last seven days.

The chief medical officer, Dr. Michael McBride said that with the increase in COVID cases in NI, there was also an increase in hospital admissions. McBride says that just two more weeks is enough to witness the rise in hospital admissions, as happened in March. “It is our actions and decisions in the coming days that will determine how bad that situation becomes,” he added.

McBride requested that health workers be supported by the actions and decisions of each individual. He also said that they do not want to get your clapping and praise.

For several consecutive days, the number of COVID-19 infections in Northern Ireland is higher than in Republic Ireland. Yesterday, 611 COVID cases were confirmed in the Republic. And 432 cases on Tuesday. The Republic of Ireland now has Level 3 restrictions. But the increased restrictions in the Derry and Strabane areas of Northern Ireland are now similar to the Level 3 conditions in the Republic.

The dilemma facing Stormont ministers is whether the restrictions on Derry and Strabane should be extended to other areas, such as Newry and Mourne and Belfast. The number of cases in these areas are also increasing day by day.

Northern Ireland’s power sharing Executive discusses steps to address rising Covid-19 infection rates.

Meanwhile, Stormont’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Ian Young said the COVID-19 death toll is almost certain to rise in the coming weeks. He said all indicators of the spread of the virus in the region are moving in the wrong direction. Professor Young said yesterday that the number of hospital admissions is doubling once every seven days. The rate was every four days when the first lockdown was ordered in March, he added.

Mr. Young further stated that the current reproduction number in NI, which is the average number of people an infected person infects, stood at 1.4. He said it was 2.8 in March. “It’s a somewhat slower trajectory than in March but heading in the same direction for every aspect of the epidemic,” he added.

The CMO McBride said Northern Ireland could reach 300 COVID-19 inpatients a day, as in March, in the next two weeks.

Financial assistance

The executive has limited funds, but they continue to make requests to the UK government for extra money.

Northern Ireland’s Finance Minister Conor Murphy has previously announced an economic package for businesses in the Derry and Strabane region, amid rising epidemics.

Pubs, restaurants and hotels in the area have been operating under strict COVID-19 restrictions since Monday as the number of confirmed cases continues to rise.

Small businesses are being offered €400 per week over the next two weeks while for medium-sized businesses the grant on offer is €600.