5 new deaths from COVID-19 in Northern Ireland

By Peter Moor

5 new deaths from COVID-19 have been announced in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health.

3 of these deaths have occured since yesterday, with the other having occured before 12th May,

In Northern Ireland, 4,291 people have now tested positive for COVID-19. This number includes those who have received positive tests from medical settings, but also from drive thru testing centres in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and Craigavon.

There are also 75 care homes in Northern Ireland with confirmed Coronavirus outbreaks, and 32 with unconfirmed outbreaks.

Yesterday, Health Minister Robin Swann said 3,346 residents in care homes had been tested and additional support had been provided to staff.

Robin Swann

He also promised more support and funding for care homes, including a mobile testing service by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has this week started to provide a mobile testing service for care homes.

Up to 40 nurses from the health system are also being deployed to support testing in care homes.

The Department of Health dashboard also provided details of capacity for patients with COVID-19.

Out of the 106 intensive care unit beds available in Northern Ireland, 19 of these are occupied with patients who have or are suspected to have COVID-19.

With 51 of the 112 ICU beds being occupied by non COVID-19 patients, there are 36 available intensive care beds across the province.

These figures come after it was revealed yesterday that the Nightingale Hospital facility at the City Hospital Tower Block is to be stood down.