By Brett Campbell
Nine more positive cases of coronavirus have been detected in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said. The total infected is 5,921.
No new deaths were recorded, leaving the total in the region according to the department at 556.
It comes after the latest Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) figures revealed the death rate in Northern Ireland rose by almost a fifth during the coronavirus pandemic between March and June.
Newly published data indicates there were 885 excess deaths in the region between March 1 and June 30.
This was 17.4% higher than what would be expected from five-year annual trends.
In the same period, Nisra noted 837 Covid-19 related deaths.
Most excess deaths (78.4%) and Covid-19 related deaths (79.8%) involved those aged 75 years and over. In this age group, excess deaths were 21.3% above expected levels, compared to 17.4% for all ages.
The latest Nisra figures also revealed the number of deaths in hospital was slightly lower than expected levels between March and June, despite 434 Covid-19 related deaths occurring in hospitals.
UK and Irish ministers to meet amid row over migration
Three men set to go on trial for murder of journalist Lyra McKee
Swann refuses to rule out resigning if budget is not changed
Fresh inquests ordered into deaths of 15 killed in McGurk’s bomb blast