Coronavirus NI: Anyone over the age of five in Northern Ireland can now be tested for COVID-19

The expansion of testing to everyone over the age of five was agreed by authorities in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed Scotland had adopted the change during a press conference on Monday however Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, confirmed the policy applied to all four parts of the UK.

"Everyone aged five and over with symptoms is now eligible for a test," Mr. Hancock told the House of Commons on Monday.

"That applies right across the UK across all four nations from now."

The announcement comes on the same day the UK officially added the loss of hearing and taste as symptoms of COVID-19.

The total number of people to die in Northern Ireland after testing positive for COVID-19 is currently 482, according to the Department of Health.