Five more Covid-19 deaths recorded in past 24 hours

By Q Radio News

Five further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health said there have also been 1,771 new confirmed cases of the virus in the last 24-hour reporting period.

On Wednesday morning there were 388 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom 43 were in intensive care.

So far 2,422,194 vaccines have been administered.

NI #COVID19 data has been updated:

📊1,771 positive cases and sadly five deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours.

💉2,422,194 vaccines administered in total.

Dashboard➡️ https://t.co/YN16dmGzhv
Vaccines➡️ https://t.co/Yfa0hHVmRL pic.twitter.com/oOizqrTJTB

— Department of Health (@healthdpt) August 25, 2021

Today's figures come after the husband of 35-year-old Samantha Willis made an emotional appeal for people to get the vaccine.

The mum-of-four died in hospital last week days after doctors delivered her baby daughter, Eviegrace.

Josh Willis said he hopes his appeals to take the vaccine can save the life of even one person.

(Deaths from Covid-19 have been rising in recent weeks as Northern Ireland falls behind other nations for vaccine take-up)