CORONAVIRUS LATEST: 18 more deaths as NI death toll rises to 176

By Q Radio news

Northern Ireland's death toll from Coronavirus has risen to 176.

Eighteen more people died overnight from the disease and a further 137 new cases have been confirmed.

It's the second successive day that eighteen lives have been lost because of pandemic.

The total number of confirmed cases of Covid - 19 now stands at 2,338.

Meanwhile the family of a care home resident in Northern Ireland has launched a bid for a judicial review into the lack of Covid-19 testing.

The challenge is also around the decision to reduce inspections of care homes by the (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) RQIA during the pandemic.

It emerged earlier on Friday that at least 41 people have died from Covid-19 in care homes and hospices in the region.

The figure represents around a quarter of the overall tally and involves 23 separate establishments, official statistics up to earlier this month showed.

The family seeking a judicial review have argued that they have been left not being able to visit their loved one as well as knowing fewer inspections of facilities are taking place.

They said that while some departure from the required level of inspection and supervision is to be expected in a time of crisis, the present approach is "not proportionate".

They also argue that the lack of testing of care home residents represents a "threat to the life of all who live there".

The department of health has been approached for a response.