LISTEN: 2 new deaths related to COVID-19 in Northern Ireland

By Peter Moor and PA.

2 new deaths linked to COVID-19 have been announced by the Department of Health.

Both of these deaths have occurred since yesterday.

The Department of Health data shows that 516 people have now died as a result of COVID-19.

Yesterday, was the first time since March 18th that no new deaths from virus were announced in Northern Ireland.

This figure is lower than figures released on Friday the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

They reported 689 COVID-19 related deaths here.

NISRA figures relate to information entered on death certificates, completed by medical professionals.

They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus.

Whereas. Department of Health figures are based on mainly hospital patients having previously tested positive for the virus.

Today's Department of Health figures also show that a total of 4,663 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in the region.

26 of these are newly diagnosed cases.

The data from the Department of Health dashboard also revealed 67 care homes currently have confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19.

33 care homes have suspected outbreaks and 48 have closed outbreaks of the virus.

The figures also provide detail of capacity in Northern Ireland's hospitals.

It revealed that out of Northern Ireland's 92 intensive care unit beds, only 8 are occupied by patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

Another 63 of the beds are taken up by non COVID-19 related patients, providing 21 spare ICU beds.

With fewer people in intensive care from COVID-19, the Northern Ireland Executive is to meet tomorrow to discuss the possible relaxing of lockdown measures.

Stormont's infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon has said she wants to kick-start economic recovery by investing in infrastructure.

Nichola Mallon

She announced measures which included extra fleet for Translink to facilitate social distancing on public transport and the broadening of streets.