Latest Coronavirus information campaign comes with an emotional appeal.
The heart breaking story of a young woman who lost her mother to Coronavirus will feature as part of the Executive’s public information campaign.
First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill met with Rhonda Tait to thank her for agreeing to share her story on the devastation the virus has brought on her family.
Rhonda’s story will be broadcast on television and across social media channels to bring home the reality of the threat of Coronavirus.
First Minister Arlene Foster said: “As we launch the next stage of this campaign, I want to thank Rhonda for telling her story. Of course the Coronavirus statistics are shocking, but this reminds us that behind every number there is human suffering.
“Unfortunately, Covid-19 is still with us. It is still infecting people and it is still, tragically, ending lives. This has been a long battle, and I understand people are weary, but the pandemic isn’t over yet. We cannot afford to let our guard down
“Rhonda has been incredibly courageous in sharing her experience. She does so in the hope that more families won’t lose a loved one. That is why we are urging everyone to follow the guidance.”
The deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “I am so sorry for Rhonda’s heart-breaking loss. The pain she continues to feel as a result of her mother’s death is still very raw and I thank her for the incredible bravery she has shown in telling her personal story to protect others from that same pain.
“Covid-19 has already taken too many people before their time. Tragedy has already touched too many lives. It’s down to us all to follow the regulations and stop the spread of this cruel disease.
“The advice hasn’t changed, nor has the power we have to stop the spread of Coronavirus. Limit your contacts, wash your hands, wear a face covering and keep your distance. Our actions do matter. What you do today could help prevent another family from suffering the loss of a loved one.”
Covid-19 related deaths for week ending 30th October.
Latest figures published today by NISRA show that 66 deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in the latest week where stats are fully available, from 24th to 30th October.
The total Covid-19 related deaths figure has now surpassed 1,000, reaching 1,053. Of this total, 605 (57.5%) deaths took place in hospital, 375 (35.6%) in care homes, nine (0.9%) in hospices and 64 (6.1%) at residential addresses or other locations.
The 384 deaths which occurred in care homes and hospices involved 90 separate establishments.
The week ending 30th October saw the largest weekly number of Covid-19 related, hospital deaths (53) since mid-April; while the 10 Covid‑19 related deaths occurring in a care home in the same week compares to totals last seen at the end of May.
The comparative number of deaths reported daily by the Department of Health to 30th October was 706. These figures are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus, whereas the NISRA figures are based on the information entered on death certificates, completed by medical professionals. They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus.
Further analysis, which includes deaths of care home residents in hospital, shows that of the 469 deaths of care home residents involving Covid-19 in the year to date to 30th October 2020, 80.0% (375) occurred in a care home, with the remaining 94 occurring in hospital.
On this basis, deaths of care home residents account for 44.5% of all Covid-19 related deaths; however, no assumptions can be made in relation to where or when the deceased contracted the disease.
Separate analyses based on the date of death registration, shows that the provisional number of total deaths from all causes registered in Northern Ireland in the week ending 30th October 2020 (week 43) was 368, 23 less than in week 42 and 84 more than the five-year average of 284.
Over the last 31 weeks in total, 1,478 ‘excess deaths’ (deaths above the average for the corresponding period in previous years) have been registered in Northern Ireland, with the number of ‘excess deaths’ in the year to date to 30th October totalling 1,219.
Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate of 51 (13.9%) of the 368 deaths registered in week 43. This is the fourth consecutive weekly increase in Covid-19 related deaths and is similar to numbers last reported in the second half of May 2020. The total number of Covid-19 related deaths registered in the calendar year up to 30th October has reached 1,023.
Persons aged 75 and over accounted for two-thirds (64.8%) of all deaths and 78.0% of Covid‑19 related deaths registered this calendar year up to 30th October.
For Covid-19 related deaths, those with an address in Belfast Local Government District (LGD) accounted for 277 (27.1%) of the 1,023 deaths registered in the calendar year to 30th October.
Statistics on weekly deaths registered in Northern Ireland can be found at:
