Five more coronavirus-related deaths in NI as new strain emerges in England
Five more people who tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland have died in the last 24-hour reporting period, according to the Department of Health.
It brings the official death toll, as recorded by the department, to 1,129 – however, that figure is expected to rise significantly when deaths in all community settings have been accounted for.
The latest figures also show there have been 419 new cases, out of 1,980 individuals tested.
In the last seven days, there have been 3,273 positive cases, with numbers highest in the Mid and East Antrim area (434).
There are currently 429 people with Covid-19 being treated in hospitals across Northern Ireland – 31 of them in intensive care and 24 on ventilators.
Bed occupancy is said to be at 98%.
Antrim Area, the Causeway, the Mater, the South West Acute, and the Ulster Hospital are all operating beyond capacity.
There are also 113 confirmed outbreaks in care homes.
New variant
Meanwhile, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed that a new, fast-moving variant of Covid-19 has recently been identified in England.
The rapid spread of coronavirus in the south has led to Greater London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire being moved into the highest tier of restrictions from Wednesday.
Mr Hancock, in an update to MPs on Monday, said initial analysis of the new strain shows it is “growing faster than the existing variants”, but is no more deadly.
He added: “And the latest clinical advice is that it’s highly unlikely that this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine.
“But it shows we’ve got to be vigilant and follow the rules and everyone needs to take personal responsibility not to spread this virus.”
Over 1,000 cases of the new strain have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas, predominantly in the south of England.
“And numbers are increasing rapidly,” Mr Hancock said.
The new strain is being assessed at Porton Down and its potential impact will be known in the “coming days and weeks”.