Northern Ireland

No further Covid deaths over weekend as almost 75% of adults now vaccinated with first dose

Almost 75 per cent of the adult population have received their first jab while more than 700,000 are fully vaccinated with both doses
Almost 75 per cent of the adult population have received their first jab while more than 700,000 are fully vaccinated with both doses Almost 75 per cent of the adult population have received their first jab while more than 700,000 are fully vaccinated with both doses
By Seanín Graham

NO further Covid-19 deaths were reported in Northern Ireland at the weekend while another 164 people tested positive for the virus.

Department of Health officials confirmed 95 further cases on Saturday and 69 on Sunday.

The number of patients requiring a hospital bed has plummeted - with zero Covid-related admissions on three consecutive days last week.

On Friday, just one patient was being treated in intensive care.

At the peak of the post-Christmas surge, there were 834 Covid patients in hospitals by mid-January. On Friday, there were just 14 inpatients (data on weekend admissions is no longer published).

Meanwhile, the vaccination rollout continues at pace with latest figures showing the north is heading towards another milestone - with almost 75 per cent of the adult population inoculated with their first dose.

In an interview with The Irish News last month, the head of the vaccine programme, Patricia Donnelly said they were "too modest" with their original targets and are aiming for 95 per cent 'first jabs' by the end of July.

To date, 1,790,718 doses have been administered, with 1,087,136 people receiving first jabs. A total of 703,582 adults have got both doses and are fully protected.

The department's Covid related death toll stands at 2,154.

Since the beginning of the pandemic last March, a total of 122,968 people have tested positive.

In the Republic, a further 313 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed.

The number of people in hospital for the virus stands at 70, of which 27 are in ICU.

The Republic's health minister Stephen Donnelly yesterday said they hoped the three million vaccine doses mark would be hit over the weekend.

In a video on Twitter, Mr Donnelly said: "It's an amazing achievement, and everybody involved deserves huge thanks, huge praise, and huge recognition.

"We've had a huge response from everyone who is eligible for a vaccine so far.

"For everybody who isn't yet eligible, let me promise you and assure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure that you get an option for a vaccine as soon as possible."