NORTHERN Ireland has recorded its highest weekly Covid-19 related deaths since the pandemic began, new figures reveal.
The Northern Ireland Statistics Agency (Nisra) said 145 deaths were registered in the first week of 2021.
It brings the agency's death toll to 1,976 by January 8, although administrative delays over Christmas may have affected the number.
It comes as a further 26 people died after contracting Covid-19, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.
A further 1,052 positive cases were also confirmed.
In the north's hospitals, 840 patients have contracted the virus. Of these, 63 are in ICU with 47 on ventilators. There were 130 patients awaiting admission.
The Department of Health's statistics focus primarily on hospital deaths and only include people who have tested positive for the virus.
Nisra obtains its data from death certificates in which Covid-19 is recorded as a factor by a medical professional, regardless of where the death took place.
Figures also showed 133,831 coronavirus vaccinations have now been administered in the north, of which 19,264 were second doses.
In the Republic, 50 more people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died with another 3,498 more cases of the virus.
Chief medical officers (CMOs) on both sides of the border issued a joint stay-at-home plea amid ongoing concerns about the high levels of coronavirus.
In a joint statement, Dr Michael McBride and Dr Tony Holohan say they are "gravely concerned about the unsustainably high level of Covid-19 infection we are experiencing on the island of Ireland".
"This is having a significant impact on the health of our population and the safe functioning of our healthcare systems," they said.
"Unfortunately, due to the surge of infections we have experienced over the past few weeks, we have seen an increase in mortality figures and our health systems have been placed under immense pressure.
"We are likely to see ongoing increases in hospitalisations, ICU admissions and mortality in the weeks ahead."
Both CMOs have urged people to stay at home except for essential reasons and avoid all unnecessary journeys, including cross-border travel.
"Many of the patients admitted to hospital in January have been under the age of 65 years," they said.
"Covid-19 can affect us all, regardless of age or underlying condition.
"It highlights the need for us all to protect one another by staying at home. Not only will you keep yourself and your loved ones safe, but also help to save lives and avoid more preventable Covid-19 admissions to our currently struggling healthcare systems.
"We will continue to work together to protect public health across the island, as we have done throughout this pandemic, but we need everyone to play their part by staying at home and protecting themselves and their communities."
The joint statement came amid tension between the Stormont Executive and Irish government over data sharing.
First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the Republic was failing to share information on travellers arriving on the island.
