Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: One new death and two more cases recorded in Northern Ireland

Another person has died in Northern Ireland after contracting Covid-19, figures released by the Department of Health have revealed.

The total number of deaths recorded by the department stands at 552.

Two new cases of the virus were confirmed, bringing the total in the north to 5,763.

No Covid-19 positive patients are being treated in intensive care beds for a sixth consecutive day.

In Northern Ireland care homes, there are 21 confirmed outbreaks and 12 more suspected.

The figures were released after it was revealed a new contract tracing phone app is expected to be released in Northern Ireland before the end of July.

Department of Health officials confirmed the move, which follows the failure of the NHS app trialled on the Isle of Wight.

The north's current coronavirus contact tracing programme has been operational since mid-May and is manned by more than 100 staff using a telephone system.

Calls are made to people who have tested positive to get a list of who they have been in close contact with during their infectious period and the contact details.