NORTHERN Ireland's chief medical officer has warned that Christmas coronavirus relaxations on the number of people who can bubble in one household present an "increased risk".
Dr Michael McBride was speaking as it emerged that the total number of Covid-19 deaths in the north has risen to 1,135, after a further six people died from the virus.
Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young said there was no evidence to date to show that the circuit-break had brought down case numbers and that instead there had been two weeks of a "slow and steady increase".
Yesterday's Department of Health figures also recorded another 486 new cases of the virus.
Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann said just under 4,000 people in Northern Ireland have received the coronavirus vaccine to date.
He said health trusts plan to start delivering the jab to health workers this week, starting with those at greatest risk or working directly with patients at greatest risk.
Mr Swann said 50,000 vaccines have been received.
Prof Young said the R number was "at or a little bit above 1", which he added was "certainly not where we hoped it would be".
He said data of traffic flow show that many people did not heed the "stay at home" message over the most recent two-week circuit-breaker.
Dr McBride said the decision on Christmas bubbling was made when rates of transmission were lower and as they were and it's right and should be reviewed.
"There's no doubt, we all know, that relaxations come with risk, and certainly the Christmas bubbling household relaxations come with increased risk."
