Welcome to Northern Slant’s weekly round-up of local virus-related items you might have missed. The next update will appear on June 5th. Previous weeks are here:

May 16–May 22, May 9-May 15, May 2-May 8, 

April 25–May 1, April 18-24,  April 11-17,  April 6-10.

You might like to read the thoughts of some of our contributors – and perhaps add your own – on ‘After The Lockdown – Hopes for Northern Ireland.’

See Also:

Wait ‘Til Next Year – May 22

Global Hubris – May 12

Reworking Your Business Strategy During Lockdown? – May 11

How Churches Can Continue To Function During Lockdown – May 6

The Impact of Covid-19 On Farming and Food Production – May 5

Lessons On The Environment From Responses To Coronavirus – April 21

A Universal Basic Income Will Help Renew Society – April 16

In Pivotal Week, Virus Leaves Politics In Disarray – April 10 

China’s Tyrannical Hubris – April 6

And read a first-person account by NS contributor Callum McNeill here:

Escaping The Coronavirus – February 9

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Care homes account for more than half of NI Covid-19 deaths

More than half of the Covid-19-related deaths in Northern Ireland have occurred in residential care homes. As of Friday 380 of the 716 deaths recorded in total, had been care home residents. The figures were published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) in its latest statistical bulletin. 

First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said earlier this week that tackling Covid-19 in care homes was a “critical battle.”

The numbers also show that the number of Covid-19-related deaths in Northern Ireland has fallen for the fourth week in a row. On Tuesday 26 May it was reported that for the first day since March 18, no Covid-19 related deaths had been reported in a 24 hour period. 

Health Minister Robin Swann said it was “a clear sign of progress”.

Life Slowly Returning  

Following a review of the lockdown rules, the Northern Ireland Executive has announced that it may begin lifting some restrictions from 8 June. Outdoor weddings with 10 people present may be allowed in NI and large retailers such as car showrooms and shops in retail parks might be allowed to reopen.

Ministers want to ensure the R-number remains below one – the average number of people that one coronavirus-infected person will pass the virus on to – before lifting these restrictions. 

Other virus news items this week


Calls for hope & calls to action 

Northern Slant aims to highlight some of the good news stories happening all around us. We’ll also show how communities are responding to the crisis, sharing details of how you might be able to get involved yourself.

Calls for Hope 

Calls to Action 

Information and Resources 

Keep up with the latest updates from the Northern Ireland Department of Health here.

And from Belfast City Council here.

Have a good weekend.