Six deaths and 1,662 new Covid-19 cases here - with record figures in the Republic

By Michael McHugh, PA

Northern Ireland has recorded a further 1,662 cases of Covid-19.

A total of 11,810 people have tested positive in the last seven days, the Department of Health said on Sunday.

Another six people have died.

Another 6 people have died in Northern Ireland after contracting Covid19.

A further 1,662 individuals have tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/L93Exmif60

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 3, 2021

Northern Ireland is in the second week of a six-week lockdown in which non-essential retail is closed.

The rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in Northern Ireland begins at GP practices on Monday.

An initial batch of 50,000 doses has been allocated.

Those aged over 80 will be prioritised initially.

Meanwhile, a record number of almost 5,000 new cases was confirmed in the Republic on Sunday evening:

Breaking: 7 #COVID19 deaths and 4,962 new cases in Republic of Ireland - the highest daily figure recorded there, with the total now exceeding 100,000.

6 deaths and 1,662 new cases were confirmed earlier in Northern Ireland.

Republic's National Public Health Emergency Team: pic.twitter.com/c7wrWJ8f7Q

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 3, 2021