Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: 16 more deaths as hospitals continue to feel strain of pandemic

A further 16 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19
A further 16 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19 A further 16 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19

Another 16 people have died after contracting Covid-19, the Department of Health has said.

It brings the recorded total since the pandemic began to 1,533.

Infection rates are continuing a downward trend with 973 new cases confirmed since yesterday, taking the cumulative number to 92,782. There were 1,145 new cases recorded in the department's previous update yesterday.

In the north's hospitals, 850 patients have tested positive for Covid-19. Of these, 58 are in ICU, 44 of whom are on ventilators.

There are 142 outbreaks in care homes.

Earlier today, Health Minister Robin Swann said Northern Ireland will start to feel the effects of the coronavirus vaccination from the spring.

More than 100,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered, with 91,419 people having received their first dose by Tuesday evening.

Mr Swann said the roll-out is making “good and steady progress”.