3 covid-19 related deaths and 1,306 new cases confirmed in NI

by Q Radio News

Three more people have died in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours after contracting covid-19. 

It brings the death toll according to the Department of Health to 2,251, 

A further 1,306 new cases of the virus have also been confirmed since yesterday. 

There's 334 people being treated in hospital with the virus. 47 of whom are in ICU.

#COVID19 cases from March 2020: percentage of COVID tests identified as positive each month by postal district in Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/wGkZPz1HhM

— Department of Health (@healthdpt) August 16, 2021

A total of 2,371,369 vaccines have been administered.

It comes as changes to COVID-19 self-isolation rules change from today (Monday) for people who are fully vaccinated.

Anyone who is fully vaccinated no longer needs to automatically self-isolate for 10 days if someone they have been in close contact with tests positive.

Instead, they should get a PCR test on day two and day eight of the 10 day period. People who are not fully vaccinated will still need to self-isolate for the 10 days.

This policy change on self-isolation applies to close contacts only. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, whether vaccinated or not, you should immediately book a PCR test and self-isolate until you get the result. If the PCR test is positive, you should keep self-isolating for the 10 day period.

The approach to self-isolation for close contacts who are health and social care workers remains as a stated in the letter issued on 23/07/2021 by the Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride.