Speaking at the daily NI Executive Covid-19 press briefing today, Health Minister Robin Swann said that the daily Covid-19 statistics show no new deaths from the virus.
We have been waiting for day like this and I do believe it’s a clear sign of the progress that has made in the battle against Coronavirus. However, I have to emphasise a serious note of caution.
There are no grounds whatsoever for complacency. That would be an insult to all those who have sadly lost their lives and to all those who are mourning them.
Covid-19 is still infecting people in our community. Sadly there will be more lives lost in the days and weeks ahead. However there is a clear downwards trend in the rolling average number of cases and deaths that we are reporting.
That is positive, and it’s a testament to each and every single person that has remained at home in recent months and abided by the guidelines.
Yesterday the UK reported an additional 121 people had sadly passed away. Yet yesterday’s news cycle, and even todays, is still almost entirely focused on the actions of a single individual.
As ill-judged as many of his actions were – I would urge everyone not to lose sight that we are still very much in the midst of this virus and the grief and loss of so many families is still far too raw. It is far too early to allow distractions to take away from the key public messages.
A second wave of the virus is also widely expected in the months ahead. So, we must keep fighting back. We must keep our defences up at all times.
I can provide updates today on some key issues.
The network of national testing sites in Northern Ireland will be extended later this week, with the opening of a fourth site in Enniskillen.
This is the latest stage in the ongoing rolling out of our testing infrastructure.
It has also been announced today that the anti-viral drug Remdesivir will be available for the treatment of Covid-19. This includes Northern Ireland. Trusts here will be able to apply for access to the treatment for patients who meet the clinical criteria.
It is true to say that the battle against the virus is in a new phase now. This will bring many challenges, some of them challenging and complex.
It’s not just a matter of urging people to stay at home anymore.
Yes, staying at home is still a big part of what we all have to do. It is essential that anyone who has symptoms stays at home. For everyone else, staying at home means working from home if possible, limiting journeys where you can, and restricting most contacts to people from your own household.
But there are now more legitimate reasons to be out and about than there were a few weeks ago.
I believe the slight softening of the regulations has been widely welcomed across our community.
But we must not forget the basics, the fundamental ways of keeping ourselves and others safe.
Keep your distance. Stay 2 metres apart. Wash your hands. Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of it immediately.
If people get it into their heads that this emergency is over, the consequences will be catastrophic. The progress made over recent months will be swiftly undone. We will have to move back towards a tighter lockdown.
So think before you act. You have more discretion now. Use it sensibly and safely.
The huge task of rebuilding our health service is also highly complex and challenging. As I’ve already said previously – our waiting times before Covid-19 were terrible, they’ll be even more horrendous after Covid-19.
So whilst it’s important that the local health services retains the capability and resilience it needs to the
Normal service, as we used to know it, cannot be resumed, especially while the threat from Covid-19 remains.
I have to be frank with people. Our health service will never be the same again. The way we use services will have to change.
We’re all getting used to having to queue to shop or even our local filing stations.
We’re still some way off being able to go to the barbers or hairdressers.
Social distancing is changing everything, and that has obvious and massive implications for our hospitals.
Crowded waiting rooms were hard to defend at the best of times.
How much more so now?
There are significant challenges, but also opportunities to transform services for the better and bring about changes that have been talked about for years.
I can report today that intensive work is continuing to give care homes across Northern Ireland the support they need.
That includes concentrated support from each of the local Health Trusts, as well as extensive rolling out of testing. As of yesterday 5,603 care home residents have been tested – with 402 testing positive, and a further 5,854 staff with 380 testing positive. As we continue to test residents and staff the proportion testing positive will continue to fall.
Similarly the number of homes successfully closing outbreaks is continuing to gradually increase. And I would again make the point that for every home we have that either has a current outbreak, or has had an outbreak, we have 3 homes that have remained Covid-free. This remains positive compared to many of our neighbouring jurisdictions.
With regard to Clifton Nursing Home, discussions are continuing over proposals for a new provider to take over the running of the home.
It is hoped these plans will result in residents having the choice of remaining in the home under the care of a new management team – should that be their wish.
I want to make clear that the HSC system will not hesitate to take further decisive action when we believe care homes are failing their residents.
I am already on record as saying that we need to take a long hard look at the way we provide social care in Northern Ireland.
While the sector as a whole has deep-seated problems, there are a great many care homes providing good quality care.
Government has a central role in making things better. I have already underlined my intentions to oversee sustainable reform and investment, with improved terms and conditions for staff an immediate priority.
Private care home operators have a huge responsibility as well. That must not be forgotten. It’s too easy an excuse to blame it all on social care being left behind and underfunded – when some firms are recording huge profits, the question is not a simple one of a sector being underfunded but also how much of the funding is reaching the front line and providing the high quality care we expect and our vulnerable citizens deserve.
The problems across the care home sector are not uniform. In terms of Covid-19, the majority of our homes are free from outbreaks. Where homes have had outbreaks, the vast majority have been working closely with Trusts, the Public Health Agency and the RQIA to appropriately manage the situation.
That partnership approach is the way forward, not just in the battle with the virus, but in building a better social care system for the future.
Notes to editors:
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