Nineteen more coronavirus-related deaths across Ireland

NINETEEN more coronavirus-related deaths were recorded on the island of Ireland, following "milestone" days earlier this week that saw no new fatalities.

Two more deaths were confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the Department of Health's total since the beginning of the pandemic to 516.

Meanwhile, there were 17 new deaths reported in the Republic.

The total now stands at 1,631, among almost 25,000 cases of the disease.

British health secretary Matt Hancock said there had been a further 412 deaths across the UK, bringing the overall death toll to 37,460.

A further 2,013 confirmed cases brought the total number of Covid-19 infections so far to 267,240.

Mr Hancock said a new NHS 'Test and Trace' scheme will begin in England today to try to isolate new cases.

An accompanying app will launch several weeks later following a delay.

The aim of the scheme, which will run alongside government messages to keep up social distancing and hand washing, is to cut off routes of transmission for coronavirus and prevent a second peak of infection.

"As we move to the next stage of our fight against coronavirus, we will be able to replace national lockdowns with individual isolation and, if necessary, local action where there are outbreaks," he said.

His message was overshadowed, however, by further questions about Downing Street chief advisor Dominic Cummings's decision to drive more than 250 miles from London to stay on a family farm in Durham despite lockdown restrictions.

Stormont infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon added her voice yesterday to calls from some Conservative MPs and others for Mr Cummings to quit.

Boris Johnson has rejected the calls and also ruled out an inquiry.

Ms Mallon said the row presented problems for government's overall public health message.

"I believe that as a government your job is to keep people safe and to keep people with you, and to do that they must have confidence and trust in the public health advice," she said.

"I think what Dominic Cummings has done has rightly caused great anger because while the rest of us are expected to follow the rules, if you’re in the elite in Number 10, it’s okay to follow your instincts and I think for that reason Dominic Cummings should go.”