86 covid-19 related deaths recorded in NI in last week

by Q Radio News

Official figures show 86 deaths involving covid-19 occurred in Northern Ireland in the last week, representing an increase of 6 from the previous week. 

In total, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency has now recorded 1,594 coronavirus related deaths up until 11th December. 

Of that figure, 949 (59.5%) deaths took place in hospital, 530 (33.2%) in care homes, nine (0.6%) in hospices and 106 (6.6%) at residential addresses or other locations.

The 539 deaths which occurred in care homes and hospices involved 126 separate establishments.

In comparison, the Department of Health recorded 1,120 coronavirus related deaths up until 11th December. 

These figures are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus, whereas the NISRA figures are based on the information entered on death certificates completed by medical professionals.

They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus.

Further analysis, which includes deaths of care home residents in hospital, shows that of the 667 deaths of care home residents involving Covid-19 in the year to date to 11th December 2020,

79.5% (530) occurred in a care home, with the remaining 137 occurring in hospital.

On this basis, deaths of care home residents account for 41.8% of all Covid-19 related deaths; however, no assumptions can be made in relation to where or when the deceased contracted the disease. 

For Covid-19 related deaths, those with an address in Belfast Local Government District (LGD) accounted for 385 (24.6%) of the 1,567 deaths registered in the calendar year to 11th December.