A FURTHER 88 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, it was confirmed last night.
The Department of Health also revealed that no deaths had been recorded. Figures also show that there are currently 17 Covid-19 patients in Northern Ireland's hospitals, with one in intensive care.
There are also 22 active outbreaks of Covid-19 in the north's care homes.
It comes after four further coronavirus-linked deaths were confirmed in the past week by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra)
The deaths happened between August 29 to September 4.
The Nisra figures give a fuller picture of Covid-19 fatalities than the figures released on a daily basis by the Department of Health, which focuses primarily on hospital deaths and only includes people who have tested positive for the virus.
Of the 877 deaths recorded by Nisra, 466 occurred in hospital, 351 in care homes, eight in hospices and 52 at residential addresses or other locations.
The 359 deaths in care homes and hospices involved 81 separate establishments.
Nisra also provides an analysis around the total number of care home residents who have died, whether in their home or in hospital, having been transferred for treatment.
Up to September 4, the deaths of 432 care home residents were linked to coronavirus, 81 of which occurred in hospital. This total was unchanged on the previous week.
Care home residents make up just under 50 per cent of all deaths linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.
In the Republic, another person has died from Covid-19, while a further 211 diagnoses were confirmed.
It brings the total number of confirmed cases to 30,571, with 1,781 deaths associated with the virus.
More than half of the new cases reported are in Dublin, with 121 cases reported.
Dr Ronan Glynn, the acting chief medical officer, last night urged people to limit their contacts this weekend. He said it would "help to break the chains of transmission in our communities".
"This weekend, please limit your social contacts, especially visitors to your home," he said.
"Avoid crowds, keep your distance from others and wear a face covering where appropriate."
