Teenager among nine Covid-related deaths recorded in NI

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It brings the death toll, as recorded by the Department, to 680. Credit: PA

A further nine people have died after testing positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Health.

The deaths all happened in the most recent 24-hour reporting period. It brings the death toll recorded by the department to 680.

A teenager who tested positive for the virus is among those to have died in the latest reporting period, and they appear to be the youngest victim of the pandemic in Northern Ireland to date.

Deaths (by age group)

  • 0 - 19: 1

  • 20 - 39: 2

  • 40 - 59: 30

  • 60 - 79: 221

  • 80 and over: 425

  • Unknown: 1

Another 840 people have tested positive for the virus, bringing the seven-day total number of positive cases to 6,255.

There are currently 352 patients with Covid-19 being treated in hospital, with 44 in intensive care.

Seven hospitals in Northern Ireland also appear to be operating beyond their capacity:

  • Altnagelvin

  • Antrim

  • Causeway

  • Belfast Mater

  • Royal Victoria

  • South West Acute

  • Ulster

Of the 2,903 beds which are officially available across Northern Ireland, 2,979 are now occupied - indicating that 103% of beds are occupied.

Of them, 445 are occupied by people with Covid-19.

A consultant from a Belfast Emergency Department has issued a plea for the public to stick with the coronavirus regulations.

John Maxwell was speaking as hospitals in Northern Ireland reached 103% occupancy amid a second surge of Covid-19 cases.

He described staff working tirelessly through "challenging and difficult circumstances".

"I can't remember when it was as tough as this before," he told a media briefing.

"All the staff are working at their absolute max and unquestionably they are tirelessly trying to deliver the best care they possibly can in what are really challenging and difficult circumstances at the minute in the middle of this second surge of the pandemic.

"We are very concerned that this could be one of the worst winters that the NHS in Northern Ireland is going to experience unless we act to change and to do something different to get control of the situation."

He continued: "Please support the public health message, you have to absolutely abide by what we are trying to do otherwise you will have an NHS that is overwhelmed.

"We will not get through this unless we work together. So we are saying please, please, please help the NHS out in this particular time, to let us get through it and let your family members get through it."

Mr Maxwell also warned that the virus can affect younger age groups as badly as the elderly.

"You cannot take this lightly, I do understand that on the front line we do see older people getting it but young people get this too, you would be mad to ignore the risks and absolutely we see people from a younger age group getting into real difficulty as well," he said.

Hospitals appear to be operating beyond their capacity. Credit: PA

The figures also came after a senior doctor claimed this week has been the "worst in the NHS in living memory".

Dr Tom Black, chairman of the British Medical Association's Northern Ireland Council, said hospitals are being hit with a "triple whammy" of rising numbers of Covid-19 cases, lack of available staff and winter pressures.

The Stormont Executive is set to meet on Thursday.

Among the topics under discussion will be the planned return of schools on Monday as well as relief grants for taxi drivers.