Northern Ireland

Two further Covid-19 deaths in Northern Ireland bringing total to 554

Two further deaths from coronavirus have been reported in Northern Ireland bringing the total number to 554
Two further deaths from coronavirus have been reported in Northern Ireland bringing the total number to 554 Two further deaths from coronavirus have been reported in Northern Ireland bringing the total number to 554

TWO further deaths from coronavirus have been reported in Northern Ireland bringing the total number to 554.

In addition, the total number of positive cases of Covid-19 in the north now stands at 5,747 with four further positive cases identified.

To date 113,061 people have been tested for Covid-19 and 27 of them tested positive in the past seven days.

The figures, released by the Department of Health, are mostly comprised of hospital deaths and where a patient had previously tested positive for the virus.

According to separate statistics from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), there have been a total of 826 Covid-19 related deaths.

These figures are based on death registered by the General Register Office where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

In the week leading up to June 26, coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificates of 12 people, down from 17 last week.

NISRA's figures show the number of Covid-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland has fallen for the eighth week.

In the Republic, two further deaths were reported and nine new cases.

Meanwhile, Van Morrison, Snow Patrol and Ash are among a group of 150 artists who have called for "urgent financial support" for the north's music industry.

In a letter sent in May and addressed to then Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, the group said the coronavirus pandemic would have "serious implications" for the sector, adding that "swift action must be taken to safeguard and invest in the future of an industry which has significant economic, cultural and social benefits for Northern Ireland".