Northern Ireland records nine more Covid-19 deaths and 1,442 new cases

It brings the total death toll to 1,443 since the onset of the pandemic.

Another 1,442 cases of the virus were also confirmed on Saturday.

In total there have been 87,588 positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

It comes as the health service comes under severe pressure, with hospitals at full capacity and cancer surgery among the operations cancelled in Belfast.

There were 674 people with Covid-19 in hospitals across Northern Ireland on Saturday, including 47 in ICU.

Hospital bed occupancy now stands at 97% with 19 ICU beds available.

Northern Ireland’s seven-day incidence rate is now at 600 cases per 100,000.

Newry, Mourne and Down has the highest rate in the Provinceat 858 cases per 100,000 of the population, followed by Mid Ulster at 798.5 and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon at 794.2.

Friday saw lockdown restrictions preventing people from leaving home unless it is essential introduced in Northern Ireland.

People can be ordered to return to their homes by police as part of measures agreed by Stormont ministers. Tighter rules around movement will remain in place until February 6 but will be reviewed later this month.

The country will also require incoming travellers to undertake pre-departure testing for Covid-19, Health Minister Robin Swann said on Friday.