A YOUNG mother has died from Covid-19 in a hospital intensive care unit shortly after the delivery of her fourth child.
It is understood the woman from Derry, who is in her thirties, was being treated for the deadly virus at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Her death comes after a Health and Social Care Board warned last week of cases of "unvaccinated pregnant women needing ICU care and emergency caesarean sections".
The baby is understood to have already been discharged from hospital and back home.
A Twitter user who described herself as a "friend of the family" said the young woman "was not vaccinated for a very good reason" beyond her control.
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said it was a "devastating tragedy" for the family.
"She had just had her fourth baby, it was delivered when she was in hospital. That poor baby and her other children will be growing up without a mother," she said.
"There are other you people seriously ill in hospital right now, I fear this won't be the end of the tragedy we will be hearing in coming days."
The Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP, whose constituency is part of the area which has seen Covid-19 rates exceed 1,000 per 100,000 for the first time, called on everyone who is able to get vaccinated.
"We cancelled an event we had planned tonight because of the rates. Everyone needs to be mindful of keeping each other safe. Keep wearing masks and washing your hands. Get the vaccine."
The Department of Health yesterday reported 2,397 new cases in Northern Ireland - the highest number in a single day since the pandemic began.
There were nine further coronavirus-related deaths.
The Delta variant-fuelled surge has seen infection rates increase almost ten-fold in just two months.
On June 20 the region's average seven-day incidence was 56.5 per 100,000 compared to 605.2 per 100,000 yesterday.
There are 388 Covid-positive patients in hospital, with 47 in intensive care (ICU).
Around 70 per cent of people in hospital ICUs with Covid-19 have not been vaccinated.
Health Minister Robin Swann said the latest figures are “deeply concerning, both in terms of deaths and new cases” and reaching another five per cent with the jab could cut the numbers of people being admitted to hospitals with Covid-19 in half.
"The Delta variant is taking its toll on Northern Ireland and it is vital that as many of our citizens as possible are vaccinated."
The `Big Jab’ campaign is taking place this weekend, with tomorrow the last chance for anyone aged 18 and over to get their first injection at a mass vaccination centre before they begin winding down.
