There has been another significant jump in the number of Covid-19 cases in the north with 141 being recorded by the Department of Health in the past 24 hours.
It brings the total for the last week to 639. There have been 7,868 cases since the pandemic began.
No further deaths were recorded in the 24-hour period, however, the Southern Health Trust confirmed this afternoon that a fourth patient at Craigavon Area Hospital died today after contracting coronavirus. An independent investigation has been ordered by the health minister into the outbreak at the hospital. Read more
There are 20 patients in hospital who have tested positive for coronavirus, two of whom are in intensive care with one on ventilation.
In care homes there are 19 confirmed outbreaks and a further five suspected outbreaks.
Meanwhile, another 102 cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed in the Republic of reland, the National Public Health Emergency Team said.
No further deaths linked to the pandemic were reported.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said NPHET was "particularly concerned" about the increase in cases in Dublin and Limerick.
"The next week is vital and people really need to cut down their social contacts," he said.
"They need to take all the precautions over the next week in those counties.
"They need to assume now again, unfortunately, that Covid is circulating in the community and act appropriately.
"If they do not, we will see increases in cases and we will be back into places we don't want to be over the coming weeks."
This morning the Irish News revealed that patients classed as "urgent" are now waiting four years waiting to see some NHS consultants - as the re-emergence of private clinics means you can access the same doctor within weeks for £200.
The private sector suspended its work in Northern Ireland at the outbreak of the pandemic and provided services to health trusts.
However, multiple clinics are now up and running again in Belfast with the majority of their doctors also working in the NHS.
