Another 9 people die in NI after contracting Covid19 with over 400 new cases

By Q Radio News

A further nine people have died in Northern Ireland after testing positive for Covid-19.

Another 407 people have tested positive for the virus, the Department of Health notified on Friday.

There are 488 Covid-positive patients in hospital, including 58 in ICU.

It comes after Northern Ireland's chief medical officer said clinically extremely vulnerable people should all be vaccinated by early next month, 

Appointments for those with conditions including some cancers have to be carefully planned because their needs can be complex.

Dr Michael McBride also said some people receiving chemotherapy may need to have their treatment adjusted. 

“We are making massive progress, we are rolling out the vaccine,” he said, with the over-80s group almost completed.. 

Dr McBride told BBC Radio Ulster’s Stephen Nolan Show: “I am confident that we will have completed over-70s and clinically extremely vulnerable through February and perhaps into early March.

“There is a huge number of clinically extremely vulnerable.”