COVID-19: Death toll in NI higher than reported new figs reveal
Statistics from care home and non-hospital environments show 41 fatalities
Northern Ireland's coronavirus death tally is about a third higher than previously reported, it emerged today (Friday).
A total of 157 fatalities involving Covid-19 have been recorded on death certificates up to April 10, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
That represents an increase of 39.
More than two thirds of the deaths (109), happened in hospital.
Another 41 occurred in care homes and hospices, around a quarter.
NISRA says those involved 23 separate establishments.
The remaining seven happened at home.
The Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland had previously reported 118 deaths involving the infection up to April 10 because of differences in how the statistics are gathered.
It relies on a patient having previously tested positive for the virus.
NISRA counts the findings of death certificates filled out by medical professionals and registered.
Concerns have been expressed about the situation in care homes.
Stormont health minister Robin Swann has said he wants to reassure people that relatives are receiving the support and care they need there.
Trade union Unison said its members who worked in care homes were reporting inadequate supplies of personal protective equipment.
Unison regional secretary Patricia McKeown said: "Recording these deaths is important, but preventing them is absolutely vital.
"We need answers as to how health authorities are going to protect vulnerable people in care homes, residential homes and in the community.
"Our members have a right to know what plan there is to increase testing, contact tracing and ensure the right methods are used to self-isolate those known or suspected cases.''
Meanwhile, in a statement to Downtown & Cool FM, the PHA says in some cases care homes will have trained staff who are able to carry out testing but if a care home does not have skilled staff to facilitate swabbing for COVID-19 then an alternative pathway is accessed via the Health and Social Care Community Nursing teams.
If the staff are symptomatic, they can access testing through their GPs.