NISRA records above average deaths in last week of 2020
The stats body's Covid-19 death toll in NI is now 1,895
Figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency show in week 52 of 2020, there were more deaths registered in Northern Ireland than there have typically been in the same week in recent years.
115 deaths involving covid occurred between the 19th of December and Christmas Day, while another 91 deaths involving covid occurred from December 26th to New Year's Day.
It means the covid death toll, as recorded by NISRA, now stands at 1,895.
That is based on what is entered on a death certificate by medical professionals – and the deceased may or may not have tested positive for covid-19.
However, the Department of Health’s count on January 1st stated that 1,349 people had died after testing positive for covid-19.
The DOH total is therefore 481 less than NISRA’s.
Yesterday (Thursday) the daily DOH dashboard showed a further 17 people died after contracting the virus.
The data showed 1,410 people tested positive from 4,310 individual tests.
It also spelled out that 599 hospital inpatients currently have the virus, and there are 18 available ICU beds at present.