Coronavirus: Northern Ireland’s first victim in four weeks passed away in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough

The woman, aged in her 80s, passed away on Saturday (August 8), in a hospital setting.

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to remain on high alert against Covid-19.

The minister was commenting today (Monday) after his department’s Covid-19 data dashboard recorded the weekend death.

It also reported 76 new cases since Friday with the number of people testing positive over the past seven days standing at 165.

Mr Swann stated: “I want to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the person who has tragically passed away. This is very distressing news and it underlines once again the threat posed by Covid-19.

“I urge everyone across Northern Ireland to do everything they can to keep themselves and others safe. We all have to remain on high alert.

“There are practical and vital steps we can each take – including maintaining social distancing, washing our hands and wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces like shops.

“The Chief Scientific Adviser and Chief Medical Officer have warned against complacency – and I would call on everyone to heed that warning.

“We have a duty to protect those in our community who are most vulnerable to this virus.”

The total death-toll according to the Department of Health now stands at 557.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery, paid tribute to everyone who has passed away during the pandemic.

The UUP representative said: “Covid-19 has impacted hugely on the community, but none have felt that more acutely than those who have lost loved ones during this pandemic.

“My thoughts and prayers are with those bereaved families, particularly when we reflect that their grief was borne during a time when the opportunity for wider family and friends to console and support them in sympathy was restricted.”

Last month, figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), revealed Antrim and Newtownabbey had the highest excess deaths as a proportion above expected levels (28.4 per cent).

For more on these statistics, read here.

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