Northern Ireland

Further 87 people test positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland

A total of 553 were diagnosed over the last seven days
A total of 553 were diagnosed over the last seven days A total of 553 were diagnosed over the last seven days

A FURTHER 87 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland taking to 553 the total diagnosed over the last seven days.

No further deaths were recorded, the Department of Health said last night.

Figures show there are 17 patients with confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospitals, with one of these patients in intensive care.

Measures limiting social interaction between households amid soaring coronavirus infection rates in the Belfast council area come into effect today.

People living in Ballymena town and postcode areas BT43, BT28 and BT29 have also been given guidance discouraging non-essential journeys outside the affected zones.

There will also be new legally enforceable social restrictions - residents in these areas cannot visit other households.

In the Republic, there was a further 255 cases of Covid-19 confirmed last night. It brings the total number of confirmed cases to 30,985.

There was also one further death reported.

It comes as Gardaí are set to get powers to close pubs and restaurants if they are found to be in breach of public health rules.

Officers are to increase patrols in Dublin to support the public health response to Covid-19 amid growing concerns over a noticeable rise on cases of the virus in the city.

The Republic's acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said now is a critical moment to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Dublin.

It is also understood that a decision on reopening pubs in Dublin has not yet been taken and will be decided at tomorrow's Irish Cabinet meeting.

All pubs, including those not serving food, are due to open on September 21.

Across the UK, cases topped 3,000 yet again yesterday - the highest Sunday rise since mid-May.

New infections continued to surge on the eve of tightening lockdown rules in England, and five more people lost their lives to the virus.

The 'rule of six' kicks in today, limiting the number of people who you can meet indoors or outdoors.

Coronavirus cases in Scotland have hit a four-month high for the second day in a row, with 244 positive swabs in the past 24 hours, compared with 221 on Saturday.

The last time figures were that high was on May 6.

In Wales, infections have risen by 162. A total of 1,597 people have died of the virus in Wales, but no new deaths were registered on Sunday.