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Covid-19: Ten deaths reported since Friday as daily cases continue to drop

There have been 10 further Covid-related deaths reported in Northern Ireland since Friday – four in the last 24 hours.

The total number of deaths now stands at 2,928 – 21 of which occurred in the last seven days.

The ABC Borough accounts for 399 – up two since Friday – of those deaths. There have been 215 – up one – in the NMD district, while Mid Ulster accounts for 274 – also up one.

There have been a further 1,431 positive cases recorded from 4,471 people tested in the last 24 hours, according to the Department of Health’s latest daily dashboard update. There have been 12,084 positive cases in the last seven days.

There were 163 positive cases in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – the third highest in NI. There were 142 cases in Newry, Mourne and Down – the second highest in NI – while Mid-Ulster recorded 82. Belfast – the highest in NI – recorded 211 positive cases.

There are 309 – down eight – patients in hospitals across Northern Ireland as a result of the virus, 32 – down eight – of whom are in intensive care units.

A total of 192 Covid patients have been discharged in the last seven days while there have been 134 admissions during the same period.

Currently, there are 98 – down one – Covid patients in the Southern Trust area, 56 – down three – of whom are in Craigavon Area Hospital.

There are 11 ICU beds available across Northern Ireland.

Hospital occupancy in Northern Ireland currently stands at 104%.

Meanwhile, the quickest way to get your free rapid lateral flow tests is from pharmacies and other local collection sites.

To find a collection location close to you, go to the site finder online Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests – NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk) .

There are more than 580 collection sites across Northern Ireland, including more than 500 community pharmacies.

Rapid lateral flow tests can also be ordered online. However in periods of high demand, the online service may be temporarily unavailable.

There is a sufficient stock of lateral flow tests in Northern Ireland to supply local collect sites.

Taking a lateral flow test regularly helps to keep our friends and family safe. Anyone who is meeting friends or family, or attending an event or social gathering, is advised to take a test before they go.

It’s particularly important to test before visiting or meeting someone who is older or more vulnerable. Regular twice weekly lateral flow testing is also encouraged.

It is vital to report every result online, even if it’s negative. This helps us track the spread of the virus, identify areas of concern, and provide support in communities that need it. Results should be reported on the gov.uk website.

If you have symptoms, please self-isolate and book a PCR test. If your Lateral Flow test is positive, self-isolate and book a PCR test.

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