BREAKING: 74 new COVID-19 cases in NI and one new virus related death

By Peter Moor.

74 new cases of COVID-19 have been announced in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health.

It brings the total number of cases to 6,299

In the last week, 204 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed here.

Yesterday, new data was revealed showing the reproductive rate of the virus was likely to be around 1.6.

If the R rate of the virus is above 1, it is thought to be spreading exponentially throughout the community.

The Public Health Agency also confirmed that 31 clusters of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Northern Ireland since the end of May.

Stock image of Coronavirus testing

The data also revealed one new death in relation to the virus had been recorded.

On Monday, for the first time in almost a month, the Department announced one new death in relation to COVID-19.

The number of people who died having contracted the virus therefore rises to 558.

However, the Department of Health death toll is mainly based on hospital deaths and is lower than the death toll announced today by NISRA.

The body recorded 859 deaths but their figures are based on the information entered on death certificates, completed by medical professionals.

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

Whereas, these figures from the Department of Health are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus.

Department of Health logo

The Department of Health data also showed 3 care homes here now have confirmed outbreaks of the virus, with 5having suspected outbreaks.

178 care homes now have closed outbreaks.

The dashboard also provides information on the intensive care bed capacity throughout Northern Ireland.

Only 1 patient  with COVID-19 remain in intensive care, with 74 ICU beds being occupied by other non-COVID-19 patients.

Therefore, there are now 22 ICU beds unoccupied across the region's hospitals.