Dozens of penalties handed out at house parties as three Covid19 deaths confirmed in NI

By Q Radio News

There have been three further deaths linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland and an additional 351 confirmed cases.

The latest figures from the Department of Health show there are now 414 patients with coronavirus in hospital, with 34 of those in intensive care units.

There are now 12 ICU beds available in the health service, while overall hospital bed occupancy is at 93%.

It comes as police confirm they've issued nearly 60 penalties following three house parties across Belfast last night.

Officers were called to properties on University Avenue and Sandymount Street at around midnight following reports of loud parties and large crowds. 

A third house party was also reported on Castle Street in the city centre.  

A PSNI spokesperson said: ''Police have issued 41 Covid 4 notices, four Covid 2 notices, three Covid 3 notices and 10 CRN’s following three house parties across Belfast on Saturday night and in the early hours of Sunday.

''Officers were called to two addresses in south Belfast at University Avenue and Sandymount Street at around midnight, following reports of loud parties and found large numbers of people at both locations.

''A third party had been reported earlier on Saturday evening at Castle Street in Belfast city centre where again a large number of people were found to be in attendance.''

Chief Inspector Sayers added: “Appropriate action was taken by officers in issuing Covid notices to those attending these parties and I would like to re-iterate our message that people must understand that the current health restrictions are not a game.

''Across Northern Ireland, people are making sacrifices, not visiting family members or friends and businesses have temporarily closed.

“People congregating or travelling to parties really need to consider their actions for their own health and that of the wider community.”