29 new COVID-19 cases in NI and no new deaths for second day running

By Peter Moor

29 new cases of COVID-19 have been announced in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health.

It brings the total number of cases to 6,217

Yesterday, the Department revealed 48 new cases of the virus had been diagnosed over the weekend.

In the last week, 204 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed here.

Only yesterday, Northern Ireland's Health Minister Robin Swann has expressed concern at the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the region

"I am concerned about the rise in positive cases in recent days," he said.

Robin Swann

The data also revealed no new deaths in relation to the virus have been recorded for the second day running.

On Monday, for the first time in almost a month, the Department announced one new death in relation to COVID-19.

The number of people who died having contracted the virus therefore remains at 557.

However, the Department of Health death toll is mainly based on hospital deaths and is lower than the death toll announced on Friday by NISRA.

The body recorded 855 deaths but their figures are based on the information entered on death certificates, completed by medical professionals.

They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus.

Whereas, these figures from the Department of Health are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus.

Department of Health logo

The Department of Health data also showed 2 care homes here now have confirmed outbreaks of the virus, with 8 having suspected outbreaks.

175 care homes now have closed outbreaks.

The dashboard also provides information on the intensive care bed capacity throughout Northern Ireland.

Only 22 patients with COVID-19 remain in intensive care units, with 75 beds being occupied by other non-COVID-19 patients.

Therefore, there are now 222 ICU beds unoccupied across the region's hospitals.