No school closures in Northern Ireland over COVID-19

By Michael McHugh, PA

Northern Ireland will not order school closures over Covid-19 yet because it would be "counter-productive", the First Minister said.

Arlene Foster warned it could take healthcare workers away from hospitals and expose grandparents looking after children at home to increased risk from the potentially deadly virus.

The devolved administration she leads is taking part in the UK-wide move towards delaying the spread of Covid-19 and anyone displaying symptoms is advised to self-isolate.

The DUP leader said: "The timeliness of intervention is very important and that is why the science and the evidence is important."

In Ireland they have closed schools, colleges, childcare facilities, museums and other tourist attractions in a major lockdown aimed at thwarting the virus' spread and guided by European and scientific experts.

Northern Ireland's open land border with the Republic means children attending classes just a few miles away will be ordered to stay at home.

Ms Foster said the infection was more advanced in Ireland, with community transfer of the virus between patients with no links to overseas travel.

She expressed disappointment that she had no prior notice of what the Irish Government was going to do.

First Minister Arlene Foster says steps being taken to move from trying to contain spread of #Covid_19 to delaying its impact and the number of fatalities here

Schools to remain open for now, but anyone with mild symptoms should self isolate for 7 days #coronavirusuk pic.twitter.com/x3omLlzyZD

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 12, 2020

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill defended the decision not to close schools in Northern Ireland.

She said: "This is a very confusing day. People are anxious as to why it is a good idea in the south (but not in Northern Ireland).

"We are working together, we are being guided by the medical science.

"We don't believe at this minute in time that that is the right step to take.

"Inevitably we will get to the situation where we need to consider closing schools."

🎥 Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill says it’s a confusing time for people, particularly after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced plans to close schools in ROI. However, she says we are not at the stage yet to close schools in NI. pic.twitter.com/S4ej1XGpjH

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 12, 2020

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's chief medical officer has warned doctors that coronavirus will put healthcare under "extreme pressure".

Dr Michael McBride said increased demand will "inevitably" be exacerbated by staff shortage due to sickness or caring responsibilities.

He said: "It is likely that we will see community transmission in the next coming weeks. We need to minimise the impact right across the health and social care sector."

Northern Ireland is still in the containment phase involving tracing contacts with those who test positive.

Cases so far have involved foreign travel or contact with someone who has travelled.

On Thursday, testing resulted in two new positive cases, bringing the total number in Northern Ireland to 20.

Both are adults and involved secondary transmissions.

One case involved recent travel from Northern Italy and the other can be traced to a previously reported case that involved recent travel to northern Italy.

Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann said the NHS is bracing itself for a death from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland has recorded its first fatality linked to the infection.

Mr Swann said normal business will not be possible when the Covid-19 outbreak worsens.

"It is bound to take its toll," he said. "Normal business in health and social care will not be possible. Some activities will have to be scaled back.

"Covid-19 will become our day job."