Northern Ireland

Seven more Covid deaths recorded as new infections rise

The number of new Covid-19 infections in the north yesterday was 1,590, according to the Department of Health.
The number of new Covid-19 infections in the north yesterday was 1,590, according to the Department of Health. The number of new Covid-19 infections in the north yesterday was 1,590, according to the Department of Health.

The Department of Health has recorded another seven Covid-19 deaths in the north.

Tuesday's daily death figure is one less than the previous day, and it takes the confirmed number of Covid deaths north of the border to 2,468.

The department also recorded a further 1,590 cases of infection yesterday, an increase of 391 from Monday's data. These latest infections mean there has been a confirmed total of 220,701 cases in Northern Ireland since the pandemic began.

In the north's hospitals, the number of inpatients being treated for Covid fell slightly to 441 yesterday. Figures from the department also show that of those in hospitals, 41 were in intensive care units on Tuesday.

The number of vaccination doses administered in the north has reached 2,496,461, with 1,197,505 people now having had their second of two required jabs.

In the Republic, where over 3,300,000 have now had their second vaccine shot, new figures from Dublin's Department of Health show that there were 309 Covid inpatients across all hospitals yesterday, with 60 people receiving intensive care.

The number of daily new infections was reported as 1,181.

Meanwhile, the south's Joint Committee on Health will meet members of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) today, including Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, to discuss the next stages in the battle against Covid. The meeting will also feature the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

Health Committee chair Seán Crowe said the virus "continues to loom over our lives", adding: "As restrictions continue to ease, the Committee welcomes this timely engagement with NPHET and NIAC to get the most up to date data available on levels of Covid-19 in the community and the capacity of the hospital system and intensive care units to cope with demand."