A third victim died from COVID-19 on 23 March, followed by two more deaths on 24 March.[20][21] On 25 March the largest increase in new cases to date was recorded as cases rose by 37 to 209, with 2 new deaths also being confirmed.[22] Speaking at a press conference on 25 March Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said he believes the actual figure of cases to be "many thousands" and testing would increase to approximately 1000 new tests everyday.[23]