11 more deaths linked to COVID-19 in NI according to DOH

By Q Radio News and PA

A further 11 people with Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health has said.

The death toll recorded by the department now stands at 889.

There were also another 518 confirmed cases of the virus recorded in the last 24-hour reporting period.

A total of 48,229 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland since the pandemic began.

Another 11 people have died after contracting Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.

It brings the total number of deaths recorded by the Department of Health to 889.

A further 518 coronavirus cases have been confirmed within the past 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/zZK5qwmpUK

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 18, 2020

Northern Ireland's hospitals are now operating at 102% capacity.

Meanwhile,

Covid-19 was the underlying cause of 808 deaths in Northern Ireland this year, according to newly published figures.

The latest statistics were compiled from Registrar General data.

It records 3,815 deaths in Northern Ireland between July 1 to September 30.

Of these, Covid-19 was the underlying cause of 53 which brings the total number of deaths in 2020 where the virus was the underlying cause to 808.

According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra), there have been 902 deaths this year where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

It comes as a new regime of tougher fines for breaches of coronavirus regulations comes into force in Northern Ireland.

The minimum fine has increased from £60 to £200, and fines on conviction can rise to £10,000.

The heftier penalties were agreed by the Stormont Executive on October 8, however they did not come into law until November 12.

Earlier this month, Justice Minister Naomi Long said pressures on bespoke printing for enforcement notices had contributed to the delay.

In a statement on Wednesday, the PSNI said 210 penalty notices with a starting fine of £200 have so far been issued.

They include 77 in Belfast, 48 in the Derry City and Strabane council area and 41 in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area.

452 peope are in hospital with COVID-19.

44 are in ICU, 37 of them on ventilators.