Four further deaths as a result of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland

By Q Radio News

Four further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health said there had also been 1,145 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.

On Tuesday morning there were 384 Covid-19 patients in hospital, with 32 in intensive care.

Four further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported in Northern Ireland.https://t.co/sjdFtzzy8r

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 21, 2021

A total of 2,508,203 vaccines have been administered.

The latest figures come as Deputy First Minister returns to work after suffering from a severe Coronavirus infection.

She said earlier today that she does not expect the executive to make "huge strides forward" towards reopening nightclubs.

However, she said she understands the hospitality sector is suffering and added "we need to do all we can to support them."

Meanwhile, First Minister Paul Givan has said that executive ministers need to balance the pressure on the health service due to Covid with the potential consequences of further restrictions.

Mr Givan said: “I do think that politicians need to be honest about the realities of what we are facing and there has been a sustained pressure on our health service which has lasted, in terms of this wave, longer than previous waves."