A FURTHER 16 people have died in Norther Ireland after contracting Covid-19.
The latest figures from the North’s Department of Health take the region’s death toll from the coronavirus to 1,533.
Another 973 new cases of the virus were reported today in the North, including 46 in Derry City/Strabane.
Northern Ireland’s hospitals are at 96 per cent capacity with 809 Covid-19 patients in hospitals there, 58 of whom are in intensive care. A further 127 patients are awaiting admission.
Meanwhile, a new rapid test for Covid-19 is rolling out to all Trust Emergency Departments across Northern Ireland in the coming week. Described as an important development, the Lumira DX is a rapid nasal swab test that delivers results in 12 minutes.