Northern Ireland

Covid-19: Four more deaths as 1,060 new cases revealed

There have been 1,060 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the last 24-hour reporting period
There have been 1,060 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the last 24-hour reporting period There have been 1,060 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the last 24-hour reporting period

Four further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported by the Department of Health.

The department said there had also been 1,060 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.

This morning there were 397 Covid-19 patients in hospital, with 34 in intensive care.

The health service remains stretched with the north's hospitals over capacity by 81 beds.

The seven-day infection rate per 100,000 is 408.6 which is the lowest level in more than two months.

There are 102 outbreaks in care homes while a total of 2,509,462 vaccines have been administered.

Today's figures were released as Health Minister Robin Swann warned that winter pressures combined with the impact of Covid will create significant pressure for the health service.

His comments echo those made yesterday by Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill who said the health service is about to "topple over" if immediate action is not taken.

Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland a further 1,432 cases of Covid-19 have been notified. At 8am today, there were 272 Covid-positive patients in hospital, with 63 in intensive care.

Thirty deaths from the virus were notified to the Department of Health over the last seven days.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that health officials were reassured "that the reopening of schools has not led to an increase in transmission of Covid-19".