There have been 12 further Covid-related deaths reported in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours.
The total number of deaths now stands at 2,814.
The ABC Borough accounts for 379 – up one – fatalities. There have been 211 – up one– deaths in the NMD district, while Mid Ulster accounts for 261 – up three.
There have been a further 1,848 – up 150 – cases recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the Department of Health’s latest daily dashboard update.
There were 200 positive cases in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon. There were 161 cases in Newry, Mourne and Down, while Mid-Ulster recorded 199. Belfast – the highest in NI – recorded 274 positive cases.
A total of 4,115 individuals were tested in that time.
There are 427 – down two – people in hospitals across Northern Ireland as a result of the virus, 33 – down two – of whom are in intensive care units.
There are currently 146 – down seven – Covid patients in the Southern Trust area which is the highest in NI, 123 –down three – of whom are in Craigavon Area Hospital. There are 12 ICU beds available across Northern Ireland.
Hospital occupancy in Northern Ireland currently stands at 104% – down 2%.
Meanwhile, according to the BBC, a Department of Health paper has warned that tougher Covid-19 restrictions could be required in Northern Ireland before Christmas, even if mandatory vaccine passports come into force.
It warns more “severe” rules may have to be considered from mid-December to avoid hospitals’ capacity being overwhelmed.
At a meeting on Wednesday, Health Minister Robin Swann will ask ministers to agree to recommendations on the mandatory Covid-19 vaccine passports.
The minister is believed to have proposed applying the measure across the hospitality sector and entry to large events.
- nightclubs
- hospitality venues which serve food and drink
- cinemas, theatres, concert halls and conference centres
- indoor events with 500 or more attendees with some or all of the audience not normally seated
- outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees with some or all of the audience not normally seated
- events where more than 10,000 people will be present regardless of whether they are seated
