by Q Radio News
One more person has died in Northern Ireland after contracting covid-19.
It brings the death toll recorded by the Department of Health to 2,144.
98 individuals have tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, from 2,353 tests.
60 people are being treated in hospital in Northern Ireland with covid-19.
8 patients are being cared for in Intensive Care Units, 3 of whom are on ventilators.
Meanwhile, the average 7 day incident rate per 100,000 in Northern Ireland is 34.2.
The area with the highest rate remains Mid Ulster on 69.8, while the lowest rate remains in Ards and North Down which recorded 8.7.
It comes as Health Minister Robin Swann has announced a further expansion to the current asymptomatic testing programme for workforces.
All organisations with 10 or more employees or volunteers, who cannot work from home, can now access the workforce asymptomatic testing programme. Previously this was open to organisations with more than 50 employees.
Minister Swann said: “Since the launch of the Northern Ireland asymptomatic testing programme there has been a great deal of interest from employers with 321 expressions of interest made. These have come from organisations and companies in the public, private and third sectors.
“This is a significant move in the testing programme as up to one third of people who have coronavirus are asymptomatic. My Department is focusing on rapidly identifying these people to isolate and reduce transmission of the virus. This will be essential as Northern Ireland moves out of lockdown.
“The further extension will enable even more organisations to take advantage of this important weapon in the fight against Covid-19."
Provision has also been made to enable small businesses and organisations with 10 or less employees to access rapid LFD tests. The range of options will be expanding over the coming weeks but currently includes a LFD Collect service from Local Testing Sites and a Home Delivery service.
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