There have been nine further Covid-related deaths reported in Northern Ireland in the latest 24-hour period.
Two of those deaths occurred in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough while Newry, Mourne and Down recorded one additional death in that period.
According to the official dashboard, there were a further 1,472 – up 159 – positive cases reported with 254 in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – the highest in NI. There were 144 positive cases in Newry, Mourne and Down while Mid-Ulster District recorded 94. Belfast had the second highest with 233.
A total of 5,449 individuals were tested in that time.
During the last seven days there have been 10,378 positive cases with the highest percentage of those (11.1%) among the 15-19-year-old age range.
There are 418 – an increase of 27 – people in hospitals across Northern Ireland as a result of the virus, 46 – up two – of whom are in intensive care unit.
There are 89 – up two – Covid patients in the Southern Trust area, 70 of whom are in Craigavon Area Hospital. There are 11 patients in Daisy Hill and seven in South Tyrone Hospital.
There are currently seven ICU beds available in Northern Ireland.
The total number of deaths now stands at 2,373.
Hospital occupancy currently stands at 108% – a 5% increase on yesterday – of capacity.
The Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area accounts for 320 deaths overall; Newry, Mourne and Down District accounts for 182 while Mid-Ulster has registered 220 deaths.
