Nine further Covid-19 deaths in Northern Ireland

A further nine people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours.

The latest figures from the Department of Health also show 1,442 more positive cases for coronavirus here out of 4,777 tested.

The highest cases are currently in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (236), Belfast (220) and Mid Ulster (204).

The hospitals are operating at 97% bed occupancy, with 674 Covid inpatients, 47 in ICU and 33 on ventilators.

There are 137 active outbreaks across Northern Ireland’s care homes.

It comes as Northern Ireland entered into the second day of tough new restrictions to help stem the spread of rising Covid-19 cases.

Friday saw lockdown restrictions preventing people from leaving home unless it is essential introduced in Northern Ireland.

People can be ordered to return to their homes by police as part of measures agreed by Stormont ministers.

Tighter rules around movement will remain in place until 6 February but will be reviewed later this month.

The country will also require incoming travellers to undertake pre-departure testing for Covid-19, Health Minister Robin Swann said on Friday.