Another record day for Covid infections in Northern Ireland as nearly 5,000 new cases reported

Despite the surge in cases the death toll remained relatively small with a further three patients who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 having died in the Province.

Another 4,701 positive cases of the virus have also been notified by the Department of Health.

After a break in reporting figures, the Department of Health yesterday presented figures for a five-day period, from December 24 to 28.

During that time there were 22,972 new infections picked up – a daily average of nearly 4,000.

Before December 21, there had never been more than 3,000 cases recorded in a single day in Northern Ireland.

As of this morning there were 303 Covid patients in hospital, of whom 32 were in intensive care.

Throughout the UK more than 33.5 million booster and third doses have now been delivered, with 1.8 million in the past seven days.

Around 63% of all adults in the UK have now received a booster or third dose.

The figures are based on reports from the UK’s four health agencies.

A total of 174,392 deaths have occurred in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, the Office for National Statistics said.

The highest number on a single day was 1,485 on January 19, 2021.

Meanwhile scientists have said that three quarters of people with new cold-like symptoms are likely to have Covid but exponential case growth seems to have stopped.

According to new analysis, the ZOE Covid Study estimates that 75% of people experiencing new cold-like symptoms are likely to have symptomatic Covid-19.

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