Northern Ireland

No further Covid-19 deaths but 112 new cases as hospitals at 99 per cent capacity

Hospitals remain under pressure even as the number of patients with Covid-19 continues to decrease
Hospitals remain under pressure even as the number of patients with Covid-19 continues to decrease Hospitals remain under pressure even as the number of patients with Covid-19 continues to decrease
By Digital Staff

There have been no further Covid-19 deaths recorded by the Department of Health in the past 24 hours.

It means the total number of deaths recorded by the department remains at 2,129

Another 112 positive cases of the virus were confirmed.

There are 77 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom seven are in intensive care. Five are on ventilators.

Hospital beds in the north are at 99 per cent occupancy. Five hosptials are operating beyond capacity; Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, the Mater Hospital in north Belfast, the Royal Victoria Hospital in west Belfast, the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen and the Ulster Hosptial in Dundonald.

The seven-day infection rate in the north is 41.1 per 100,000.

There are five outbreaks of coronavirus in care homes.

To date in the north, 1,042,365 vaccinations have taken place. Of these, 831,895 were first doses while 210,470 were second doses.

Earlier today, Health Minister Robin Swann said people deserve better as he asked for support and funding to rebuild the health service.

Many patients have been left waiting longer for treatment after the coronavirus pandemic saw many procedures having to be delayed.

Robin Swann said the pandemic hit the health service after “10 years of financial stringency and short-termism” had already taken a toll.