By Q Radio News/ PA
A further three patients who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland.
Another 4,701 positive cases of the virus have also been notified by the Department of Health.
This morning there were 303 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom 32 were in intensive care and 24 are being ventilated.
Hospitals currently have 94% of beds occupied.
The death toll since the pandemic began stands at 2,979 and 17 of those deaths occurred within the past seven days.
The average seven-day infection rate is 1,671 with Derry City and Strabane council area recording the highest rate (2,422.6), followed by Fermanagh and Omagh (1,995.8).
Mid and East Antrim has the lowest rate (1,113.6).
There are Covid outbreaks in 97 care homes.
James Nesbitt ‘in awe’ of Christmas efforts at Marie Curie Hospice
Michelle O’Neill to tackle Starmer for ‘prioritising weapons of war over people’
Vaccination appeal amid ‘very concerning’ increase in flu cases
Police probe report of shot fired at a house in Newry
MLAs clash with officials over Bill to make school uniforms more affordable