Northern Ireland

Covid-19: Five more deaths, 1,071 new cases

<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; ">There have</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; ">&nbsp;also been 1,071 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period</span>
There have also been 1,071 new There have also been 1,071 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period

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

The death toll since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 2,483.

There have also been 1,071 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.

This morning there were 425 Covid-19 patients in hospital, with 38 in intensive care. Of these, 33 have been placed on a ventilator.

Hospitals are over capacity by 170 beds. Only three hospitals in the north have spare beds.

There are 112 outbreaks in care homes.

A total of 2,501,235 vaccines have been administered.

Today's figures were released after a poll found that only 51 per cent of parents with children in the 12 to 15 age group approve of them being vaccinated.

As the Department of Health announced plans to offer 12 to 15 year-olds one dose of a Covid-19 jab, a poll by Parentkind has shown that more than a third say they would not take up the offer.

The research reveals stark division with most parents having strong views either way.

Meanwhile, in the Repubilc a further 1,413 cases of Covid-19 have been notified. At 8am today, there were 290 Covid-positive patients in hospital, with 67 in intensive care.