Dear reader

The scale of the tragedy in two hospitals in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust became even more apparent on Friday. 

In a statement, the trust confirmed that six patients at Craigavon Area Hospital’s haematology ward have now died with Covid-19.

In addition, three patients at a male medical ward at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry who tested positive also died. Eleven patients and 21 staff have tested positive.

It has been another dramatic day of Covid-19 developments. The SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said he had tested positive for the virus after first experiencing symptoms earlier this week. He is to self-isolate and has closed his constituency office as a precaution.

There was also controversy as a councillor issued a call for musician Sir Van Morrison to be stripped of the Freedom of Belfast because of his Covid-19 stance. 

The musician had earlier defended the release of new songs which called for people to be lifted from the restrictions that ‘enslave’ them. However, City councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown said the lyrics “undermine” the message on Covid-19.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and stays safe.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

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