COVID-19: Two more deaths as 138 people test positive in last 24 hours

The latest statistics now reveal that 2,057 people have died with COVID-19 in NI.

Another 138 people tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours.

That number rises to 1,551 for the number of people who tested positive in the last seven days.

In total 112,631 people have now tested positive in NI.

There are now 302 patients in our hospitals with COVID-19.

And of that number there are now 34 patients with the virus being treated in ICU.

Meanwhile there are now 26 patients in NI Care Homes with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

The news comes as Stormont ministers have asked civil servants to finalise details of Northern Ireland’s lockdown exit strategy.

Ministers met on Monday morning to examine the plan for a gradual easing of restrictions in the region.

It is understood officials have been asked to clarify some areas before the Executive formally signs off on the blueprint.

It is now looking more likely that the strategy will be made public on Tuesday.

Ministers are due to meet again on Tuesday morning.

Executive discussions on Monday are understood to have been of a technical nature, with ministers generally in agreement on the shape of the document.

First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill plan to unveil it on the floor of the Stormont Assembly when it is ready.

Ministers have already made clear the blueprint will be led by data, not dates.

The plan is likely to outline the sequence in which current lockdown restrictions will lift, with moves taken when the public health situation allows.

The initial phase is understood to titled “cautious first steps”.

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