BREAKING: 15 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths for 25th day running

By Peter Moor

15 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health.

It brings the total number of confirmed cases of the virus to 6,064.

The news of these new infections comes amidst the announcement yesterday by the First Minister, Arlene Foster, that the R rate (the reproductive rate of the virus) was at around 1.3.

The Public Health Agency also revealed yesterday there were 11 active clusters of the virus in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health dashboard also showed no new deaths related to Coronavirus for the 25th day running.

The number of fatalities linked to the virus therefore remains at 556.

However, this number is mainly based on hospital deaths and is lower than the death toll announced earlier today by NISRA.

These figures from the Department of Health 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.