THERE HAS been more positive news in Northern Ireland's fight against Covid-19 as the six counties have recorded no deaths for the second day in a row.
The Department of Health today announced that in the past 24 hours, there have been no coronavirus-related deaths reported, and just six new cases have been confirmed.
The good news directly echoes yesterday's figures, which saw Northern Ireland's first day with no recorded Covid deaths since 26 May, and six new confirmed cases.
It is the first time Northern Ireland has recorded two days in a row with no coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began.
There have now been 537 deaths and 4,802 confirmed cases of the virus in the six counties, with figures continuing to drop.
The Northern Ireland Economy Minister, Diane Dodds, today confirmed that all shops across Northern Ireland would be allowed to reopen this coming Friday, except for those inside shopping centres.
Northern Ireland's move to fast-track the reopening of the economy follows the Irish Government accelerating the plan for the Republic: Phase 5 has been scrapped entirely, and everything will be reopened by 20 July, as long as social distancing measures can be implemented.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has declared itself to be Coronavirus free after 17 days with no new cases, and the final person known to have been infected with the virus making a full recovery.
As a result, the New Zealand government, led by Jacinda Ardern, has begun lifting all restrictions on social events, including social distancing measures.
Joint First Minister for Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, yesterday told BBC Radio that she had moments where she wondered whether the lockdown, which she described as "some of the most draconian steps that have ever been taken in this country since World War Two", was the right thing to do.
However, she said, "I'm pleased to say that in terms of the number of deaths in Northern Ireland, we have managed to keep them as low as we possibly could and that has worked well".
