Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: No new deaths and nine more cases recorded in Northern Ireland

Nine new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the north
Nine new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the north Nine new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the north

There were no more deaths linked to Covid-19 recorded in the north over the weekend, according to statistics released by the Department of Health.

Nine new positive cases were identified in the same period. 

The total death toll in the north remains at 554 while there have been 5,756 confirmed cases.

The department figures cover July 3-5 with daily updates now occurring between Monday and Friday.

There are currently 12 people with the virus in hospital and none are in ICU.

There are 20 confirmed and 10 suspected outbreaks of coronavirus in care homes. 

The figures were released after the weekend easing of the lockdown which saw pubs and restaurants allowed to reopen.

As Northern Ireland "progresses through the coronavirus recovery plan" with hairdressers among the businesses reopening today, a new advertising campaign will see government ads flood TV and radio stations, social and digital platforms and billboards.

The campaign will focus on symptoms, the importance of testing and "the role contact tracing can play in limiting the spread of infection", Health Minister Robin Swann said.