There have been five further Covid-related deaths reported by the Department of Health today (Thursday).
Four of those deaths occurred in the last 24 hours, with the other just outside that timeframe, according to the official dashboard, which has the overall total now at 634.
There were a further 1,042 cases reported in that timeframe, with 141 in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – the second highest in NI behind Belfast – and a further 53 in Newry, Mourne and Down.
A total of 4,637 individuals were tested.
There are 291 people now in hospital – up two from Wednesday – as a result of the virus, 33 of whom are in intensive care units.
Fifty-nine patients are in Craigavon Area Hospital today – three more than yesterday. To date, 385 patients have been discharged from the Co. Armagh hospital.
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Meanwhile, there are long tailbacks at the border between Newry and Dundalk as Gardaí enforce restrictions at the Carrickdale turn off.
The operation is in response to tighter Covid restrictions in the Republic, ultimately leading to long tailbacks on the southbound carriageway. There is very little traffic travelling north.
Scene at the Newry/Dundalk border @BBCNewsNI @bbcnewsline pic.twitter.com/JokUxwPPJk
— Cormac Campbell (@Campbell_Cormac) October 22, 2020
Elsewhere, Finance Minister Conor Murphy, who is MLA for Newry and Armagh, says he is self-isolating at home for the next two weeks after a family member tested positive for Covid-19.
Mr Murphy, who is the fourth minister to self-isolate in recent weeks, will continue his work duties from home.
“A close family member tested positive for Covid 19. I currently have no symptoms. I will be testing and working from home for the next 14 days,” he wrote on Twitter.
Earlier today, Health Minister Robin Swann said he is now self-isolating after receiving an exposure notification on Wednesday evening from the StopCOVID NI proximity app.
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