Northern Ireland

Four further Covid-19 deaths and 416 new cases recorded in Northern Ireland

Latest data from the Department of Health shows hospital occupancy in the north is at 99 per cent 
Latest data from the Department of Health shows hospital occupancy in the north is at 99 per cent  Latest data from the Department of Health shows hospital occupancy in the north is at 99 per cent 

Four more people have died with Covid-19, the Department of Health has said.

Another 416 people have tested positive, bringing the total number of cases over the last seven days to 2.601.

There are 435 people with Covid-19 in hospitals across the north with 37 of these in intensive care beds and 29 on ventilators.

Total bed occupancy stands at 99 per cent with four hospitals operating beyond capacity.

Four further Covid-19 deaths and 416 new cases recorded in Northern Ireland
Four further Covid-19 deaths and 416 new cases recorded in Northern Ireland

The Department of Health data also showed 128 care homes have confirmed outbreaks of the virus, with none having suspected outbreaks.

Earlier today, Health Minister Robin Swann said the first Covid-19 vaccines could be administered in Northern Ireland next week.

Mr Swann said the approval of UK regulators for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine could see the scheduled December 14 roll out date brought forward by a few days.

Meanwhile, five more people have died with Covid-19 and 270 new cases have been diagnosed in the Republic of Ireland.