Coronavirus: 61 new COVID-19 related deaths identified in Northern Ireland - 47% of ALL deaths occurred in care homes and hospices

The weekly statistical report shows 61 additional COVID-19 related deaths were identified as having taken place between May 9 and May 15.

NISRA reports a total death-toll of 664 for the period up until May 15 whereas the Department of Health (DoH) reported a cumulative figure of 472 deaths for the same period.

Of the 61 additional deaths reported by NISRA, 27 occurred in hospital, 32 in care homes, one in a hospice and one at a residential address.

The 664 deaths recorded by NISRA comprise of 322 deaths (48.5%) of which took place in hospital, 303 deaths (45.6%) in care homes, six deaths (0.9%) in hospices and 33 deaths (5%) at residential addresses or other locations.

The daily updates provided by the DoH count the number of deaths reported by health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland, where the deceased had a positive test for COVID-19 and died within 28 days, whether or not COVID-19 was the cause of death.

NISRA weekly, provisional death statistics, which are based on death registration information collected by the General Register Office, count all deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate by the doctor who certified the death, whether or not COVID-19 was the primary underlying cause of death.

The figures include cases where the doctor noted that there was suspected or probable coronavirus infection involved in the death. As a result the weekly totals will usually be higher than the relevant daily figures - because the DoH daily updates only include those who have tested positive for the virus.

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