Five new cases of Coronavirus detected in Northern Ireland

Q Radio news

Five more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said.

The new cases bring the UK total to 278.

A statement on the website said: "Testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in five new presumptive positive results for coronavirus (Covid-19) bringing the total to 12 since testing began.

"Contact tracing from these five cases is being conducted by Public Health Agency staff.

"A more detailed update will be provided on the situation tomorrow, when this contact tracing work is at a more advanced stage."

It comes as two additional cases of Covid-19 emerged in the republic last night, where the total now stands at 21. 

The UK government is trying to tackle fake news about the coronavirus outbreak by setting up an expert team to counter disinformation.

False claims about a coronavirus vaccine and bogus cures have circulated on social media, often attracting hundreds of shares.

Ministers hope the new team will help to limit the spread of disinformation, which refers to the deliberate creation and spread of false or manipulated information intended to deceive and mislead audiences.

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Italy has jumped from 233 to 366 - a sharp increase of 57%.

Officials said it was by far the largest daily rise in fatalities since the outbreak hit the country last month.

The total number of confirmed cases in Italy also went up by 25% - from 5,883 on Saturday to 7,375 on Sunday.

Speaking of those originally diagnosed with COVID-19 - the disease caused by the coronavirus - the Protection Agency said 622 had fully recovered on Sunday, compared with 589 the day before.