Northern Ireland

Record number of Covid-19 patients in hospital as 18 further deaths recorded

Some hospitals in the north remain over capacity as the health service struggles to deal with the coronavirus crisis
Some hospitals in the north remain over capacity as the health service struggles to deal with the coronavirus crisis Some hospitals in the north remain over capacity as the health service struggles to deal with the coronavirus crisis
By Digital Staff

Another 18 people have died after contracting Covid-19, the Department of Health has said.

Another 1,378 people have tested positive.

There are a total of 577 Covid-confirmed inpatients, the highest number since the pandemic began.

The number of hospital beds occupied has increased to 542. Department of Health figures show hospital occupancy at 101 per cent, with six hospitals operating beyond capacity - Antrim, Causeway, the Mater, Royal Victoria Hospital, South West Acute and the Ulster Hospital.

The intensive care unit tally is 45. Of these patients, 34 have been ventilated.

There are 131 confirmed outbreaks in care homes.

The figures were released as the Stormont executive is set to announce details of tighter restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.

It is expected that schools will not reopen before February and an order for people to stay at home is set to be made legally enforceable.

Earlier today it was announced that all post-primary transfer tests have been cancelled.