There have been eleven further Covid-related deaths reported in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.
Since yesterday there have been a further two deaths in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough and one in Mid Ulster.
According to the official dashboard, there were a further 1,345 positive cases – down 219 – reported in the last 24 hours with 149 in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon. There were 103 in Newry, Mourne and Down while Mid-Ulster District recorded 114. Belfast had 241 cases in the last 24 hours.
A total of 3,989 individuals were tested in that time.
There are 394 – an increase of two – people in hospitals across Northern Ireland as a result of the virus, 49 – also up two – of whom are in an intensive care unit.
There are 87 – no change – Covid patients in the Southern Trust area, 75 – down one – of whom are in Craigavon Area Hospital. There are 11 patients in Daisy Hill.
There are currently nine ICU beds available in Northern Ireland.
Hospital occupancy currently stands at 104% of capacity.
The total number of deaths now stands at 2,269.
There have been 32 deaths in the last seven days, up on the previous seven where 29 deaths were recorded.
The Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area accounts for 306 deaths overall. Newry, Mourne and Down District accounts for 175 deaths while Mid-Ulster has registered 211 deaths.
Earlier today, Vice Chancellors of Queen’s University Belfast (main image) and Ulster University issued the following joint statement: “Our shared focus is on the resumption of a full on-campus teaching and research experience and we look forward to re-connecting with staff and students. To that end, we strongly encourage all staff and students to take up the vaccine.
“We welcome the NI vaccination programme’s ‘Big Jab Weekend’ initiative to boost vaccination uptake and make it as easy as possible to take this simple step. Getting vaccinated is by far the best way to protect the entire NI community and to ensure that our return to full campus operations is on a permanent basis.”
