Good afternoon

Welcome to your Coronavirus news update 

It been revealed that NI has recorded the highest number of daily infections since February and hospitalisations rates have almost doubled in last seven days. The Department of Health recorded 285 new infections in the last 24 hours - the last time the number of new daily infections was higher than this was on February 19, 2021 when the DoH recorded 298 new infections.

Social events in North Down and East Belfast have resulted in a “sharp increase” in Covid-19 cases, the Public Health Agency has said. They have warned warned that more cases are “likely to follow in the next few weeks” in South Belfast, Hillsborough, Comber, Bangor and the Ards Peninsula through previous and new social links.

In other news Sinn Fein MLA, John O'Dowd, has accused TUV leader and MLA, Jim Allister, of employing an "unacceptable" tone when talking to female MLAs in the Assembly chamber in Stormont. Mr. Allister made the comment during Executive Office Question Time in the Assembly when deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, was answering a question about New Decade, New Approach.

Meanwhile, the UK and EU expected to sign truce to avoid a ‘sausage war’ trade dispute. Sausages and other chilled meats will continue being shipped from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, with the UK and European Union expected to agree an extension to the current arrangements.

Have a good evening

Michael Cousins
Deputy digital editor

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