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There have been 15 more Covid-19-related deaths and 528 additional confirmed cases in Northern Ireland.
It brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland to 774, according to figures from the Department of Health.
Twelve of the deaths occurred in the past 24 hours.
There are 391 hospitalized patients confirmed for Covid-19 in the hospital system, of which 53 are in intensive care.
There are now 22 beds available in the ICU and 101 beds in the larger hospital system, authorities said.
Based on the relative size of the population, the 15 deaths that occurred equate to about 38 deaths south of the border.
The 7-day infection rate per 100,000 in Northern Ireland is 212.9
The highest rate, 312.5, is in the Mid Ulster Council area, followed by Lisburn and Castlereagh at 229.4.
The rate in Derry City and Strabane, which was once the area with the highest infection rate anywhere on the island of Ireland or within the UK, is now 290.0.
The Northern Ireland Executive will meet tomorrow to discuss whether to extend the current restrictions on coronavirus, which will end on Friday.
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Meanwhile, the Stormont Executive has imposed a 14-day isolation period for anyone arriving from Denmark due to concerns about a new strain of coronavirus that has spread from mink to humans.
Anyone who has arrived in Northern Ireland since 23 October, and all members of their household, must isolate themselves for two weeks from the date of departure from Denmark.
The UK government announced that as of 4am this morning, all resident and non-British travelers who have been to or have transited through Denmark in the past 14 days will be denied entry to the UK .
There are no direct flights between Northern Ireland and Denmark, so any visitor would arrive via Britain or the Republic, as there are flights to Dublin.
There are no mink farms in Northern Ireland, but there are three in the Republic.
Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann has spoken with his counterpart Stephen Donnelly about development.
Northern Ireland Medical Director Dr Michael McBride said: “Self-isolation for anyone who has been to Denmark is a mandatory requirement and applies to all members of the household.”
“This is an emerging picture and a precautionary approach is required at this early stage,” he said, adding that “advice and guidance has been issued to colleagues in the health service in Northern Ireland.”
Dr McBride added: “UK authorities are working closely with international partners to understand the changes in the virus that have been reported in Denmark.
“An additional research program in the UK will inform the risk assessments.”
The Danish State Serum Institute, which deals with infectious diseases, has found mink-related versions of the coronavirus in 214 people since June, according to a report posted on its website Thursday.
However, a strain of the mutated coronavirus, which has prompted Denmark to euthanize its entire herd of mink, has only been found in 12 people and on five mink farms so far.
While the mutated strain is not believed to be more dangerous, public health officials fear it could undermine the effectiveness of a future vaccine.
Maria van Kerkhove, leader of the World Health Organization for Covid-19, said that the WHO is analyzing biosecurity in countries where there are mink farms.
He said the transmission of the virus between animals and humans was “a concern.” The risk was much lower in animals other than mink, he added.
“We are working with regional offices … where there are mink farms, and we are analyzing biosecurity and to prevent overflow events”,
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