1 new COVID-19 related death in Northern Ireland, but 33 new cases of virus

By Peter Moor

Just 1 new deaths linked to COVID-19 has been announced by the Department of Health.

This death has occurred since yesterday.

The Department of Health data shows that 535 people have now died as a result of COVID-19.

This figure is lower than figures released last Friday the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

They reported 718 COVID-19 related deaths here.

NISRA figures relate to information entered on death certificates, completed by medical professionals.

They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus.

Whereas. Department of Health figures are based on mainly hospital patients having previously tested positive for the virus

More up-to-date NISRA data is expected to announced tomorrow morning which will give a more accurate picture of the number of deaths linked to COVID-19 in Northern Ireland.

Despite the low number of deaths announced today, there has been a spike in the number of newly diagnosed cases, with 33 people having tested positive for COVID-19.

It brings the total number of cases in Northern Ireland to 4,773.

The data from the Department of Health dashboard also revealed 68 care homes currently have confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19.

36 care homes have suspected outbreaks and 66 have closed outbreaks of the virus.

The figures also provide detail of capacity in Northern Ireland's hospitals.

It revealed that out of Northern Ireland's 97 intensive care unit beds, only 7 are occupied by patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

Another 71 of the beds are taken up by non COVID-19 related patients, providing 19 spare ICU beds.