By Q Radio News
Northern Ireland has recorded its highest daily number of Covid-19 cases.
The Department of Health has been notified of 3,231 new cases of the disease and three more people have died with Covid-19.
It came as the Stormont Executive met to discuss the introduction of restrictions.
There are 261 people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in hospital - 34 in ICU.
Of those 34 in ICU with Covid, 26 are being ventilated.
The latest Covid-19 figures just issued by the Department of Health show three deaths and an increase to 3,231 new cases in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours. It's the highest daily number recorded here. pic.twitter.com/m761gg6vNW
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 22, 2021
Hospitals are 57 beds over capacity and there are outbreaks in 41 care homes.
Derry City and Strabane council area has the highest seven-day infection rate (959.8) followed by Ards and North Down (946.7).
Causeway Coast and Glens has the lowest (649.7) while the Northern Ireland average is 846.3.

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