Ulster Unionist Leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said:

“Today was about delivery, and while others were sniping from the sidelines, Robin Swann demonstrated leadership. We are in the midst of a global pandemic and despite unwarranted criticism and personal abuse, Robin rose above it and has remained totally focused on putting measures in place to help protect the people of Northern Ireland from the spread of Covid-19.

“Today he announced that the first of the Randox staff testing sites in Northern Ireland will go live at the SSE Arena car park in Belfast this weekend as part of a UK-wide initiative on staff testing, with more sites to be announced in the coming days.

“Diagnostic testing has been scaled up with a Consortium including Queens University Belfast (QUB), Ulster University (UU), C-ITRIC and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and 2067 beds are empty and available for the inevitable surge of patients diagnosed with Covid-19.

“This was followed up by confirmation from Health Secretary Matt Hancock that Northern Ireland will receive five million items of PPE from the UK`s central stock.  

“There will be dark days ahead, but I know that Robin and the staff in the Department of Health and the wider NHS are doing everything in their power to make sure that we are as prepared as we can be for the inevitable surge. Our doctors, nurses, hospital staff and ancillary and social care staff, who are on the frontline, deserve every bit of support and protection that we can give them.

“Regrettably today it was announced that a further twelve people died from Covid-19. That is twelve families left in mourning. I offer my sincere sympathies to them all. Every politician should put political differences to one side and unite in helping to defeat this wretched Coronavirus.

“Every single one of us has a role to play. Everyone in Northern Ireland can help save a life by listening to the public health messages. Wash your hands, adhere to social distancing and support our NHS by staying at home.”