By Peter Moor
2 more people have died over the weekend having contracted Coronavirus in Northern Ireland according to the Department of Health.
These fatalities, which both involved people between the age of 60 and 79 were both reported between Friday 18th at 10am and Sunday 20th at 10am.
Both of these fatalities occured in hospitals, with one occuring in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon and Newry, Mourne and Down areas.
There's now been 577 COVID-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland according to the Department.
This number mainly covers hospital related deaths unlike the figures released by NISRA on Friday which said 887 people had died in connection with COVID-19.
NISRA uses information based on death certificates whereas the Department of Health only records people who die after testing positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, 125 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours.
On Saturday, Northern Ireland saw the highest number of cases diagnosed since the start of the current testing regime with 222 infections confirmed.
In the past seven days, the Department of Health has recorded 1,014 new cases of Coronavirus.
It brings the total number of infections here since the start of the pandemic to 9,466.
The latest COVID-19 testing figures come amidst a message over the weekend from Robin Swann that the latest statistics were "deeply concerning."
The Northern Ireland Executive is expected to meet today following the recent spike of COVID-19 cases.
The Department of Health data also showed 30 care homes here now have confirmed outbreaks of the virus, with 12 having suspected outbreaks.
195 care homes now have closed outbreaks.
Department of Health logo
The dashboard also provides information on the intensive care bed capacity throughout Northern Ireland
5 patients with COVID-19 are now in intensive care, with 67 ICU beds being occupied by other non-COVID-19 patients.
Therefore, there are now just 19 ICU beds unoccupied across the region's hospitals.
No prosecutions over allegations of false evidence at Bloody Sunday Inquiry
Calls for State apology for Stardust families after unlawful killing verdicts
Lecturers to end industrial action after accepting pay offer
Range of views on proposed smoking ban – Little-Pengelly
Opera director to use £5,000 award for projects to help vulnerable and homeless