Covid-19: Eight Further Tests As 595 Individuals Test Positive

A further eight coronavirus related deaths have been recorded by the Department of Health.

Friday's dashboard reported an additional 595 positive cases in the region, bringing the total since the pandemic outbreak to 41,969.

Northern Ireland's death toll now stands at 760 as the region endures what is widely accepted as the 'second wave' of the pandemic. Some 4,160 people have tested positive within the past seven days.

Hospital bed occupancy is currently at 98%, with 407 confirmed Covid inpatients and 49 individuals receiving treatment in intensive care.

A total of 126 care homes are managing active outbreaks of the virus.

Meanwhile, figures reported by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) reported that Covid-related deaths have surpassed 1,000 and reached the figure of 1,053.

The disparity between the statistics released by NISRA and the Department of Health is due to a difference in reporting techniques. The Department includes fatalities where the person previously tested positive for the virus, while NISRA includes deaths where Covid was mentioned on the certificate.

Belfast's Custom House Set For Revamp

Belfast's iconic Custom House building is set for a revamp.

The Grade B+ listed building, which was constructed in the 1850s, has been acquired by local investor Straidorn Properties for an undisclosed sum.

Originally designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, the building takes pride of place on the banks of the River Lagan and comprises of four floors of office space.

It is surrounded by some of the city's oldest and most historic buildings, including the Albert Clock, Corn Exchange and McHugh's Bar and is next to Custom House Square.

Currently occupied by HMRC, Straidorn plans to modernise the facility when it moves out in April 2021.

£300k Pledged To Help Musicians Purchase New Instruments

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has launched three funding programmes for musical instruments following a capital investment of £300,000.

Funded by the Department for Communities, grants ranging from £10,000 to £30,000 will be available for bands, professional and non-professional performing groups and individual professional performing musicians until March 2021.

Now in its second year, the scheme is designed to increase the quality of music-making in Northern Ireland and to ensure as many groups and individuals as possible have an opportunity to purchase new instruments.

Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said the funding is evidence of the important contribution of musical performance to the lives of performers and the wider public.

The Minister added: "The Musical Instruments Scheme is a recognition of the importance of supporting musical potential and excellence across the range of the musical culture here.  

"From our rich banding tradition with its many forms, all of which have been impacted heavily by COVID, through to our aspiring and talented individuals."

Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: "With much appreciated capital investment from the Department of Communities, the Arts Council is delighted to reopen this popular scheme for a second year. This valuable range of programmes offers bands, musical groups, schools and professional musicians the opportunity to buy new instruments, helping to increase skills for all types of players - from young musicians just starting out, right through to highly trained performers."

Those wishing to apply for the funding programmes can do so via the links below:

Programme one: Musical Instruments for Bands

Programme two: Professional and Non-Professional Performing Groups

Programme three: Individual Professional Performing Musicians



(JG)