There were 25 further Covid-related deaths reported by the Department of Health today (Sunday).
Today’s stats – according to the official dashboard – take in the last 24 hours with 21 of the 25 passing away inside that period.
The overall total number of deaths recorded by the Department now stands at 1,606.
There were a further 822 positive cases reported in the last 24 hours, with 159 in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – once again the highest in NI – and a further 90 in Newry, Mourne and Down. There were 91 cases in Mid Ulster.
A total of 3,013 individuals were tested.
There are 840 people now in hospital as a result of the virus, 67 – up five – of whom are in intensive care units.
There are currently 27 ICU beds available in Northern Ireland.
A total of 234 Covid patients are currently in hospitals in the Southern Trust area; 167 in Craigavon; 50 in Daisy Hill; 17 in Lurgan and none in South Tyrone.
The news comes on a weekend when Hospitality Ulster once again highlighted the huge impact on its members.
Saturday was the 300th day since the first lockdown was imposed and, according to Hospitality Ulster, non-food traditional pubs have only been able to open 23 days. ‘Food-led’ hospitality have been able to open 119 days, with non-essential retail 182 days.
And this does not include those that closed voluntarily before St Patrick’s Day last year.
Many pubs fear that they will not be allowed to open before St Patrick’s Day this year.
