72 new cases of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland

By Peter Moor

72 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours.

On Sunday, 119 new cases of the virus were announced - the highest daily increase since the beginning of May.

In the past seven days, the Department of Health has recorded 384 new cases of Coronavirus.

It brings the total number of infections here since the start of the pandemic to 6,895.

Alongside the new figures released today, the PSNI announced Two police stations in Northern Ireland which closed after officers tested positive for coronavirus are set to reopen.

Antrim and Newtownabbey police stations will open to the public on Wednesday at 7pm.

“Both stations were closed at the weekend following confirmation that a number of our officers had tested positive for Covid-19,” ACC Alan Todd said.

“In line with public health guidance, we have ensured that appropriate steps were immediately taken to address and manage the issue. The health and welfare of members of the public attending our stations and those of our officers and staff are of paramount importance and we have commenced a phased return to duty for officers based in those stations as it is now assessed that it is safe to do so.

“Once again, I would like to reassure the public, that plans remain in place across the district to provide a service to the community and keep people safe.”

Craigavon Area Hospital

The statistics from the Department follow yesterday's news of two clusters at Craigavon Area Hospital one in the Haematology department and the other in the respiratory ED department.

Five patients on the haematology ward have tested positive for the virus, with one further in patient identified.

One member of staff on the haematology ward has tested positive with three close contacts isolating.

Three staff members tested positive in the respiratory emergency department, leading to 20 staff having to self isolate.

Department of Health logo

The figures also revealed no new deaths related to the virus.

The number of fatalities remains at 559.

The Department of Health data also showed 12 care homes here now have confirmed outbreaks of the virus, with five having suspected outbreaks.

180 care homes now have closed outbreaks.

The dashboard also provides information on the intensive care bed capacity throughout Northern Ireland.

Only one patient with COVID-19 remains in intensive care, with 81 ICU beds being occupied by other non-COVID-19 patients.

Therefore, there are now 19 ICU beds unoccupied across the region's hospitals.