Coronavirus: NI families could be allowed to be with loved ones before they die - decision expected imminently

Mrs. Foster confirmed such measures could be deployed in Northern Ireland during an interview with BBC Radio Ulster's 'Good Morning Ulster' programme on Thursday morning.

"I very much hope so that that will be something that we can do here," said Mrs. Foster.

"It's unimaginable to think of anyone at any age dying alone.

"I think the Health Minister will be looking at how he can make that happen and working with not just hospitals but also nursing homes to make that happen and I am sure he will want to say more about that in the near future," she added.

The news that Northern Ireland's Minister of Health is considering introducing the measures comes less than 24 hours after the Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock, vowed to give families the "right to say goodbye" to loved ones living in care homes.

The Department of Health and Social Care published its COVID-19 action plan for adult social care on Wednesday.

The plan clearly states that care homes should continue to limit visits to facilities but accepted the importance of families being allowed to say goodbye to sick relatives before they die.

"Whilst we have recommended care homes limit unnecessary visits, we are clear that visits at the end of life are important both for the individual and their loved ones and should continue," states the plan.

People working in the adult social care sector have, however, expressed concern over the proposal as they continue to struggle with inadequate levels of personal protection equipment (PPE).

"They will have to be protected for their own good and indeed for the good of those people they meet afterwards so it is important that we do make sure that there is PPE to deal with that," said Arlene Foster.

"I spoke to Robin [Swann] last night [Wednesday] after the announcement was made by the secretary of state and he of course is considering this immediately and I imagine Robin would have something to say about this very soon."

At the time of publishing 140 people in Northern Ireland hospitals had died after testing positive for COVID-19.

The daily reports documenting the number of COVID-19 related deaths published by the Public Health Agency do not include deaths in care homes or in the community.