Five prison officers in Northern Ireland tested positive for COVID-19

Naomi Long said her thoughts with are with the individuals and their families.

Giving evidence to Stormont's justice committee, Ms Long also revealed that so far no prisoners in the region have tested positive for the virus.

There are just over 1,500 prisoners in Northern Ireland, but a number were given temporary release amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Long said infection control measures have been put in place within custodial environments, including precautionary isolation for new committals as well as personal protective equipment for staff.

"None of the prisoners or young people in our care have tested positive for Covid-19," she said.

"Five prison officers have tested positive for Covid-19 and our thoughts are with them and with their families at this difficult time."

Ms Long also gave an update on a temporary mortuary prepared at Ministry of Defence property at Kinnegar, Co Down.

"Staff in my department, partners and contractors worked extremely hard to develop this site within a very short time frame and it has been handed over now from the contractors," she said.

"I sincerely hope, having visited the site, that we never need to use it."