Deaths related to coronavirus reached 599 by May 8, according to figures released this morning by Nisra in its weekly report.
The number of deaths which occurred in care homes has remained consistent at 45%, with half of all deaths in a hospital setting and much smaller numbers at home or in hospices.
To date there have been 274 deaths in 71 different care homes and hospices, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).
The death toll for the week May 2 to May 8 was 77, which was half that of the previous week, with the number of deaths in care homes down from 71 to 36. Earlier this week Health Minister Robin Swann announced a series of "intensive support" measures to increase testing in care homes involving the deployment of 40 nurses and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service carrying out mobile testing.
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[ 'Intensive support' for care homesOpens in new window ]
Deaths in week May 2-8 where Covid-19 was recorded on a death certificate:
- 37 were in hospital
- 36 in care homes
- 3 at residential addresses
- 1 in a hospice
- Total: 77 - down from 115 the previous week
Read more:Nisra reveals that in week up to May 1 62% of deaths occurred in care homes.
The total death toll by May 8 stands at 599 and of those deaths:
- 49.1% were in hospital (294 people)
- 44.9% in care homes (269)
- 5.2% at residential addresses (31)
- 0.8% in hospices (5)
In the period up to May 8 the Department of Health recorded 432 deaths. Nisra says the department's figures reflect the deaths of people who had tested positive for Covid-19 while its figures include instances where coronavirus has been noted on someone's death certificate.
Over the past six weeks, 766 ‘excess deaths’ - deaths above the average for the corresponding period in previous years - have been registered in Northern Ireland.
Read more: Analysis - Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill unite behind care home testing strategy(premium)
Of the 599 total deaths involving COVID-19 occurring up to 8th May, 294 (49.1%) occurred in hospital, 269 (44.9%) occurred in care homes, five (0.8%) occurred in hospices and 31 (5.2%) occurred at residential addresses or another location. https://t.co/KmdVrvPf6p pic.twitter.com/WRDb4BVPTc
— NISRA (@NISRA) May 15, 2020
