Northern Ireland

Another seven deaths linked to Covid-19 as 1,748 new cases recorded

<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; ">There have&nbsp;also been 1,748 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period</span>
There have also been 1,748 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period There have also been 1,748 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period

Seven further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported by the Department of Health.

The total number of deaths linked to the virus now stands at 2,424.

There have also been 1,748 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.

This morning, there were 461 Covid-19 inpatients in hospital, 45 of whom were in intensive care. Of these, 35 are on ventilators.

Hospitals in the north are over capacity by 196 beds.

The seven-day rate of infection per 100,000 is 544.8. Fermanagh and Omagh has the highest rate at 737.7 while the lowest is Ards and North Down at 344.4.

There are 131 outbreaks in care homes. A total of 2,470,155 vaccines have been administered.

The figures were released as it was confirmed the assembly has been recalled amid growing concerns over the number of children who are currently absent from school because they are self-isolating due to close contact with a positive Covid case.

Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan had submitted a petition to recall the Assembly, and having received the signature of 30 MLAs, a letter from Speaker Alex Maskey has confirmed it will meet on Thursday.

Meanwhile, in the Republic an additional 1,470 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported.

As of today, 367 patients are in hospitals with the disease, a decrease of 17 on the previous day, while the number in intensive care units remains unchanged at 59.