Six more deaths linked to Covid-19 reported in Northern Ireland

n the last 24-hour reporting period, there have been a further 923 new cases of the virus.

The death toll recorded by the department now stands at 645.

There have been 33,209 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland.

There are currently 309 patients with Covid-19 being treated in hospital, with 34 in intensive care.

There are 92 nursing homes across Northern Ireland tackling an outbreak of Covid-19.

Northern Ireland has now entered its second week of a four-week circuit-breaker.

Pubs and restaurants are closed except for takeaways and deliveries, while schools are shut for a fortnight.

On Friday, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill warned that a potential extension of the region’s circuit-break lockdown cannot be taken off the table.

Ms O’Neill said she hoped the Covid-19 virus could be sufficiently suppressed so as to allow restrictions to be lifted on November 13.

Her comments are in contrast to those of First Minister Arlene Foster who has insisted the circuit-breaker will not extend beyond four weeks.

Meanwhile, health chiefs in Northern Ireland decided against reintroducing formal advice for people deemed vulnerable to Covid-19 to shield from wider society.

Shielding was paused in Northern Ireland on July 31.

During the first wave of the pandemic, around 80,000 people assessed as being clinically vulnerable to the virus were urged to stay at home and avoid contact with others.

Chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said the decision to keep the advice on pause was made after carefully weighing up all the evidence.

“Since shielding was first advised, a number of important changes have taken place in our approach to managing coronavirus and reducing its transmission,” Dr McBride said.

“This includes a greater awareness of the importance of social distancing, the requirement to use face coverings, Covid-19 secure workplaces and greater adherence to respiratory and hand hygiene.

“Having carefully weighed up all the evidence, including the impact on mental health, I have decided that shielding should remain paused at this stage.”