Northern Ireland

Covid-19: 10 more deaths recorded by Department of Health

Another 10 people have died after contracting Covid-19
Another 10 people have died after contracting Covid-19 Another 10 people have died after contracting Covid-19

Another 10 people who had tested positive for Covid-19 have died, according to the Department of Health.

It brings the total number of deaths recorded in the pandemic to 2,478.

The department said there had also been 1,304 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.

This morning, there were 426 Covid-19 inpatients in hospital, 36 of whom were in intensive care. Of these, 33 are on a ventilator.

The north's hospitals remain under intense pressure with facilities over capacity by a total of 222 beds.

There are 114 care home outbreaks and a total of 2,498,979 vaccines have been administered.

Today's figures were released after First Minister Paul Givan said Northern Ireland has plans in place for a winter Covid surge

Mr Givan said the Executive would be meeting again next week to consider Covid measures amid concerns across the UK that there could be a jump in hospital admissions in the coming months.

British prime minister Boris Johnson announced his winter plan for tackling Covid in England yesterday, and said some measures would be kept in reserve as part of his government’s Plan B for if the NHS faced unsustainable pressure.

Meanwhile, a  further 1,185 cases of Covid-19 have been notified in the Republic of Ireland.

This morning there were 292 Covid inpatients in hospital, of whom 65 were in ICU.

The Republic's death toll has reached 5,179, including 24 deaths notified in the last week.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has urged the take-up of the Covid-19 vaccine.

"Covid-19 vaccines are providing very effective protection from severe illness and have fundamentally changed the risk profile of this disease," he said.

"Since the 1st of April, approximately four out of every five people admitted to ICU and approximately three out of every four deaths with Covid-19 were not fully vaccinated. It remains vital that those who have not yet received a Covid-19 vaccine do so at the earliest opportunity.

"If you are fully protected through vaccination, then you can have confidence that your vaccination, and your continued adherence to the public health advice appropriate to each environment, is the best way you can protect yourself from Covid-19."