Civil servant to blame for Michelle O’Neill’s wrong coronavirus death figure, her department says

At Monday’s Stormont press briefing, Ms O’Neill told the public that 412 people had died with coronavirus – but that was wrong.

That day the Department of Health’s daily update brought the total number of deaths to 309.

The actual number of deaths from those who have Covid-19 will be significantly more than that number because it is largely based on those who die in hospital and fuller statistics are released later by the Northern Ireland Statistics Research Agency (NISRA) once all deaths have been registered.

However, the 412 figure does not appear to have any statistical basis.

Speaking alongside First Minister Arlene Foster at the Executive’s daily press conference on Monday afternoon, Ms O’Neill said: “Sadly today we have learned of a further 10 deaths as a result of Covid-19 and that brings the total number of deaths reported through our health trusts to 309.

“And including those additional coronavirus-related deaths recorded by NISRA that means that our total figure stands at 412 people that have lost their lives.”

BBC reporter Jayne McCormack asked Ms O’Neill about the discrepancy between her figure and that issued from the Department of Health.

The deputy First Minister replied: “I would explain the difference, you know, because we have the Department of Health’s figures which come from the trusts, but then we also have the NISRA figures so I was joining up those two numbers to give people a fuller picture of actually the situation so within the health trusts there’s been 309 reported deaths but the NISRA statistics, when you add that to it would bring it up to 412.

“So hopefully that clarifies that point.”A spokeswoman for The Executive Office said: “The figure referenced was a drafting error by an official and was immediately clarified by The Executive Office.”