Coronavirus: 13 more people die in NI - worst case scenario death-toll revised down from 15,000 to 1,500

The total number of deaths in Northern Ireland now stands at 207.

Mr. Swann announced the news of the deaths at the daily Coronavirus briefing in Stormont.

Health Minister Swann also revealed that science experts have revised down the most reasonable worst case scenario death toll from 15,000 to 1,500 for the first 20 weeks of pandemic.

“This is a significant revision on the previous modelling," said Minister Swann.

"This is not a prediction or a forecast.

“It provides a clear indication that social distancing is working. It provides encouragement to everyone who is working hard to do the right thing," he added.

Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said patients being discharged from hospitals into the wider health system were being tested for Covid-19 48 hours before discharge.

Since April 12 anyone becoming symptomatic in care homes has been tested.

He said enhanced support arrangements were in place around infection control and PPE.

Hospital emergency departments will begin surveillance of individuals presenting with Covid-like symptoms from April 28 as part of the ramping up of testing.

Dr McBride said: “We will be using that testing capacity differently to inform how the virus is spreading within the wider community.

“The actions we have taken over the last number of weeks is making a real difference. Our health service has not been overwhelmed.”