Northern Ireland

Covid-19: Four more deaths and 1,819 new positive cases

  First Minister Paul Givan receiving his Covid-19 booster jab from vaccinator Moira Mulholland during a visit to Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre in Lisburn, County Antrim, to encourage people to take up both doses of the vaccine and the booster dose when eligible.
  First Minister Paul Givan receiving his Covid-19 booster jab from vaccinator Moira Mulholland during a visit to Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre in Lisburn, County Antrim, to encourage people to take up both doses of the vaccine and the bo   First Minister Paul Givan receiving his Covid-19 booster jab from vaccinator Moira Mulholland during a visit to Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre in Lisburn, County Antrim, to encourage people to take up both doses of the vaccine and the booster dose when eligible.

A further four patients who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 have died..

The total number of deaths since the pandemic began now stands at 2,916.

Another 1,819 new positive cases of the virus have also been recorded.

This morning there were 338 Covid-positive patients in hospital, up by nine from yesterday. 

In ICU there were 38 in intensive care, the same as yesterday. There are 11 unoccupied ICU beds in the north.

Hospitals occupancy is at 105%. 

Read More: Stormont officials planning for potential new year Covid restrictions

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease was the most common pre-existing condition linked to death from someone who has previously tested positive with Covid-19, appearing in 767 of the 3,007 Covid-19 deaths (25.5%), according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). 

The next most common pre-existing conditions were hypertensive diseases (635) and diabetes (632 deaths).

Between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2021, there were 3,462 Covid-19 related deaths registered in Northern Ireland. Covid-19 was the underlying cause of death for 3,007 deaths (86.9% of Covid-19 related deaths).

Pre-existing conditions are defined as any mention on the death certificate of a condition that pre-dated or was independent of Covid-19.

There were no pre-existing conditions for 311 of the 3,007 Covid-19 deaths (10.3%). On average, there were 2.50 pre-existing conditions per Covid-19 death.

The booster programme in Northern Ireland has been expanded. From December 15th those aged 40-49, who are three months since their second dose, will be able to book online. But from today you can book with community pharmacy or attend a health trust vaccination hub which have some walk in slots.