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The Northern Ireland Department of Health has reported seven more deaths and another 863 positive cases of Covid-19.
The latest deaths bring the death toll to 598.
In the last seven days, 6,286 new positive cases of the virus have been detected.
The total number of confirmed cases in the north now stands at 21,898.
The Health Department said there are currently 150 hospitalized patients with Covid-19.
Of them, 23 are in intensive care.
Today’s figures come as the Derry City and Strabane Council area continues to be the hardest hit in Northern Ireland, with a case incidence rate of 970 per 100,000 residents over the past seven days.
That’s more than double the next highest rate, which is 462 per 100,000 in Belfast.
Mid Ulster now has a rate of 401, while the Newry, Morne, and Down Council area has a prevalence of 315 per 100,000.
Middle Antrim and East remain the areas with the lowest infection rate, 95 per 100,000.
Despite the continued rise in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Arlene Foster said yesterday that the stricter restrictions were “not inevitable” as she urged people to play their role in stopping the spread of infections.
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