Nine new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in NI as first Coronavirus death is recorded

The news of the nine new cases comes only a few hours after the person to die after testing positive for COVID-19 in Northern Ireland was confirmed.

The current infection toll in Northern Ireland is now 77 with one person having sadly passed away in a hospital in the greater Belfast area.

The first known person from Northern Ireland to die as a result of the deadly disease was recorded in Sheffield on Tuesday.

County Tyrone man, Leonard Gibson, 78, passed away on Tuesday in the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

Mr. Gibson was originally from Fintona and moved to England when he was 26 years-old.

In recent years, Mr. Gibson moved back home to Northern Ireland but two years ago he moved back to Sheffield to be closer to his two daughters, Lisa and Michelle.

Mr. Gibson had an underlying health issue at the time of his death.

The total number of tests completed in Northern Ireland is 1,646.

People with mild symptoms - new persistent cough and/or fever - should stay at home and self-isolate.

They will not require testing and will not therefore be included in testing totals.

The total number of people to die after testing positive for COVID-19 is now 137.