There have been no further Covid-related deaths reported in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours – ending a run of four consecutive days where there has been a fatality.
According to the official dashboard there were a further 1,430 1,973 – down 543 on Wednesday – positive cases reported in the last 24 hours with 82 in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – third lowest in NI. There were 174 in Newry, Mourne and Down while Mid-Ulster District recorded 127. Belfast had 361 cases in the last 24 hours.
A total of 4,330 individuals were tested in that time.
There are 162 – an increase of 28 on yesterday – people in hospitals across Northern Ireland as a result of the virus, 10 – up two – of whom are in an intensive care unit.
There are 26 – up six – Covid patients in the Southern Trust area, 24 of whom are in Craigavon Area Hospital. The others are in St Luke’s Armagh and Daisy Hill.
There are currently 10 ICU beds available in Northern Ireland.
The overall total number of deaths recorded by the Department is 2,166.
The Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area accounts for 287 deaths overall. Newry, Mourne and Down District accounts for 169 deaths while Mid-Ulster has registered 208 deaths.
Meanwhile, young people who turn 18 on or before October 31 2021 can now access their vaccines at the seven regional vaccine centres across Northern Ireland.
They can avail of the walk-in facilities or, if they wish to book an appointment, the online system will be available from today (Thursday).
The move follows the announcement on Monday of new guidance from JCVI that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be offered to some children and young people aged 12 years and over.
Children and young people aged 12 years and over who live with someone who is immunosuppressed will receive a letter from their GP on the next steps. There is no need to contact your GP. They will write to you.
Arrangements for the vaccination of children aged between 12 and 15 with specific underlying health conditions to receive vaccination are being finalised and will be announced shortly.
In the meantime parents are asked not to bring their children under 16 years of age to vaccination centres until this is announced.
This group currently includes those with severe neuro-disabilities, Down’s syndrome, underlying conditions resulting in immunosuppression, and those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities.
