There were 19 further Covid-related deaths reported by the Department of Health today (Monday).
Today’s stats – according to the official dashboard – take in the last 24 hours with 18 of the 19 passing away inside that period.
The overall total number of deaths recorded by the Department now stands at 1,625.
There were a further 640 positive cases reported in the last 24 hours, with 106 in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – once again the highest in NI – and a further 81 in Newry, Mourne and Down. There were 83 cases in Mid Ulster.
A total of 2,080 individuals were tested.
There are 823 people now in hospital as a result of the virus, 63 – down four – of whom are in intensive care units.
There are currently 33 ICU beds available in Northern Ireland.
A total of 195 Covid patients are currently in hospitals in the Southern Trust area; 144 in Craigavon; 32 in Daisy Hill; 17 in Lurgan and none in South Tyrone.
The latest figures come as the British Medical Association (BMA) says the number of hospital admissions will peak sometime over the next eight to 10 days and the number of people requiring intensive care treatment is likely to continue increasing for at least another fortnight.
The head of the BMA in NI, Dr Tom Black, said: “It is likely that over the next few weeks doctors will be asked to work in a new location or provide support to areas that are already overstretched.
“Many have already had planned annual leave cancelled.”
Dr Black says the peak in intensive care is predicted to happen next weekend.
