Northern Ireland

Covid-19: Six more deaths as 3,568 new cases recorded

<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; ">3,568 confirmed cases of the virus were recorded in the latest 24-hour reporting period</span>
3,568 confirmed cases of the virus were recorded in the latest 24-hour reporting period 3,568 confirmed cases of the virus were recorded in the latest 24-hour reporting period

Another six people have died after contracting Covid-19, the Department of Health has confirmed.

It brings the total number of deaths since the pandemic began to 3,062.

Another 3,568 confirmed cases of the virus were also recorded in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

There are 213 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom 24 are in intensive care. Of these, 19 are being ventilated.

The age group with the highest percentage of individuals testing positive is now five to nine year olds.

Hospitals are over capacity by 146 beds.

Today's figures were released after the Stormont Executive yesterday agreed to drop the use of vaccine passports in hospitality settings.

The move, which comes into effect next Wednesday, is one of a number of relaxations to Covid rules agreed at an Executive meeting this afternoon.

From tomorrow, the requirement to remain seated and the limit of six per table at hospitality venues will be removed.

The cap on the number of households meeting inside domestic settings will be removed from the same date.