BREAKING: One new Coronavirus related death and 69 new cases in Northern Ireland

By Peter Moor

New figures reveal one new death related to the Coronavirus in Northern Ireland.

This death occurred sometime before 10am on 26th August.

The number of fatalities therefore rises to 560, according to the Department of Health.

Tomorrow, new figures are expected to be released by NISRA, which use a different method to record COVID-19 related deaths.

69 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours.

On Sunday, 119 new cases of the virus were announced - the highest daily increase since the beginning of May.

In the past seven days, the Department of Health has recorded 418 new cases of Coronavirus.

It brings the total number of infections here since the start of the pandemic to 9,694.

Department of Health logo

New data from the Public Health Agency also revealed five new clusters of COVID-19 have been identified in the last week.

In a statement the agency said

“In total, up to 26 August 2020, a total of 11 clusters with greater than five people have been identified in the following council areas; Newry, Mourne and Down (4), Mid and East Antrim (3), Antrim and Newtownabbey (1), Ards and North Down (1)  Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (1) and Causeway Coast and Glens (1).

 “In addition, there have been 29 clusters across Northern Ireland with fewer than five people.”

The Department of Health data also showed 14 care homes here now have confirmed outbreaks of the virus, with 5 having suspected outbreaks.

180 care homes now have closed outbreaks.

The dashboard also provides information on the intensive care bed capacity throughout Northern Ireland.

Only one patient with COVID-19 remains in intensive care, with 67 ICU beds being occupied by other non-COVID-19 patients.

Therefore, there are now 17 ICU beds unoccupied across the region's hospitals.