There has been one further Covid-related death reported by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland today (Wednesday).
The latest update comes according to the official dashboard.
As it stands, the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area accounts for 285 deaths overall. Newry, Mourne and Down District accounts for 165 deaths and Mid-Ulster accounts for 205.
The overall total number of deaths recorded by the Department still stands at 2,144.
There were a further 98 – 11 less than Tuesday – positive cases reported in the last 24 hours with zero in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon. There were nine in Newry, Mourne and Down and Mid-Ulster District recorded 11 in that time.
A total of 2,353 individuals were tested.
There are 60 people – down two on yesterday – in hospitals across Northern Ireland as a result of the virus, eight – three more than Tuesday – of whom are in intensive care units.
There are currently six patients in Craigavon Hospital – 10 overall in the Southern Trust area.
There are currently 11 ICU beds available in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced a further expansion to the current asymptomatic testing programme for workforces.
All organisations with 10 or more employees or volunteers, who cannot work from home, can now access the workforce asymptomatic testing programme. Previously this was open to organisations with more than 50 employees.
Minister Swann said: “Since the launch of the Northern Ireland asymptomatic testing programme there has been a great deal of interest from employers with 321 expressions of interest made. These have come from organisations and companies in the public, private and third sectors.
“This is a significant move in the testing programme as up to one third of people who have coronavirus are asymptomatic. My Department is focusing on rapidly identifying these people to isolate and reduce transmission of the virus. This will be essential as Northern Ireland moves out of lockdown.
“The further extension will enable even more organisations to take advantage of this important weapon in the fight against Covid-19.”
Provision has also been made to enable small businesses and organisations with 10 or less employees to access rapid LFD tests. The range of options will be expanding over the coming weeks but currently includes a LFD Collect service from Local Testing Sites and a Home Delivery service.
Further details of the programme, and information on what it means for employers, are available on the Department’s website at: www.health-ni.gov.uk/
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