| Good afternoon, Today's headlines are dominated by yet more sobering coronavirus statistics from the Department of Health which reveal that 2,143 new infections have been recorded in Northern Ireland. There have been another six Covid-related deaths. This is the biggest daily rise in cases since the pandemic began and the first time the number of infections recorded in 24 hours has risen to more than 2,000. Meanwhile, approval for the Oxford / AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine was announced by UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock this morning. The jab is expected to be rolled out in Northern Ireland next week. Thank you for reading this daily coronavirus bulletin from the News Letter team and for your support for our journalism this year. It is more important than ever that the public in Northern Ireland have access to fact-checked, accurate information, so if you haven't already, then please consider taking out a digital subscription with us from just £1 a month. Check out your subscription options here. Stay safe, Valerie Martin, Head of Content. | 
