Covid-19: 7,215 new cases and one death as daily record set

By Q Radio News

Northern Ireland has recorded its highest daily number of new cases of Covid-19.

The Department of Health has been notified of 7,215 new cases and one death.

The seven-day infection rate is also at a record high.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant now accounts for more than 90 per cent of all cases and data from the Office for National Statistics show one in 40 people in private households in Northern Ireland had Covid in the week leading up to Christmas.

Health minister Robin Swann has issued an appeal ahead of new year's eve for people to make the evening as safe as possible by following health guidance. 

Meanwhile, in the Republic a further 20,110 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been recorded.

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is continuing to increase.

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has confirmed that PCR testing services for those with symptoms are available throughout the weekend.

Test sites will maintain their normal hours of operation, with the exception of new year’s day when a reduced level of service will be in place.

The department said levels of Covid-19 circulating in the community are at the highest rate they have ever been, and anyone with symptoms must isolate immediately and books a PCR test.

Booking slots are made available at stages throughout the day and people are encouraged to retry if they not get a test slot immediately.

You can book a test by clicking here