There have been three further Covid-related deaths reported by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland today (Thursday).
According to the official dashboard, all three deaths occurred in the past 24 hours.
The overall total number of deaths recorded by the Department now stands at 2,069
Of those overall deaths, the ABC Borough accounts for 279; Newry, Mourne and Down District at 162; and Mid-Ulster with 194.
There were a further 163 positive cases reported in the last 24 hours, with 23 in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – the joint highest in NI. There was a further 13 in Newry, Mourne and Down and 14 in Mid-Ulster.
A total of 1,669 individuals were tested.
There are 257 – 50 less than yesterday – people now in hospital as a result of the virus, 29 of whom are in intensive care units.
There are currently 30 ICU beds available in Northern Ireland.
A total of 71 – that’s 14 less than yesterday – Covid patients are currently in hospitals in the Southern Trust area – with 29 in Craigavon; seven in Daisy Hill, 30 in Lurgan, five in St Luke’s, Armagh and none in South Tyrone.
Meanwhile, according to the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) there were 1,958 excess deaths in Northern Ireland from the start of the pandemic until the end of 2020.
Excess deaths indicate the number of deaths above what would normally be expected.
This increase in mortality represents a 15.4% hike above expected deaths.
