There have been four further Covid-related deaths reported in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.
The total number of deaths now stands at 2,932 – 20 of which occurred in the last seven days.
The ABC Borough accounts for 401 – up two since yesterday – of those deaths. There have been 217 – up two – in the NMD district, while Mid Ulster accounts for 274.
There have been a further 1,581 – up 150 – positive cases recorded from 5,319 people tested in the last 24 hours, according to the Department of Health’s latest daily dashboard update. There have been 11,772 positive cases in the last seven days.
There were 230 positive cases in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – the second highest in NI. There were 105 cases in Newry, Mourne and Down while Mid-Ulster recorded 117. Belfast – the highest in NI – recorded 248 positive cases.
In the period December 6-12, the highest number of cases (504) have come in the BT34, which encompasses parts of Newry, Rathfriland and south Down.
There are 326 – up 17 – patients in hospitals across Northern Ireland as a result of the virus, 31 – down one – of whom are in intensive care units.
A total of 192 Covid patients have been discharged in the last seven days while there have been 145 admissions during the same period.
Currently, there are 103 – up five – Covid patients in the Southern Trust area, 63 – up nine – of whom are in Craigavon Area Hospital.
There are six ICU beds available across Northern Ireland.
Hospital occupancy in Northern Ireland currently stands at 107% – up 3%.
Meanwhile, cancer charity Macmillan say they are here to help people in Co Armagh this Christmas.
For some people living with cancer, this Christmas may feel very isolating, especially as we continue to negotiate the challenges of the pandemic. Many people may still be shielding, worried about coping with treatment side effects, or may find it difficult to talk to loved ones about their concerns.
The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, Macmillan will listen. It is open every day between 8am to 8pm on 0808 808 00 00.
Macmillan is also reminding anyone worried about cancer symptoms to contact their GP as an absolute priority. The latest guidance on coronavirus for people living with cancer is also available at the charity’s online Covid 19 hub.
