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There have been six other deaths from coronavirus in Northern Ireland, three of them occurring in the past 24 hours.
It takes the official toll of the Department of Health to 1,135.
There are also 486 new test cases in 2,969 people, bringing the cumulative total to 59,121.
The trend shows an increase in positive tests, with 230 more during the last seven days than in the previous week.
There are 444 confirmed Covid-19 patients in the hospital, with 33 in the ICU, 24 of whom are on ventilation.
All six Northern Ireland health trusts have warned of “unbearable pressures” across the system, in the event of an anticipated spike in Covid-19 cases in early January.
In a joint statement issued yesterday, the trusts’ chief executives said “several of Northern Ireland’s acute care hospitals are already operating beyond capacity.”
They said the flow through the hospitals had been “seriously affected by the restrictions required as a result of Covid-19.”
Add in the pre-existing staff pressures and absence of staff due to Covid-19 infection, or the need to isolate yourself, and there is a very real risk that hospitals will be overwhelmed in the event of a new spike in Covid-19 in January, “the statement added.
“We are not making this point lightly and, as a result, we are asking the public to be extremely cautious during the festive period and to take all necessary precautions to stop the spread of the virus.”
The Stormont Health Minister has urged people not to participate in “a free Christmas for all.”
Robin Swann has said that the restrictions at the beginning of the New Year are “inevitable” and that the severity will depend on the actions of the people.
Read more: Latest coronavirus stories
Non-essential retail and much of the hospitality sector, excluding pubs that only sell alcohol, reopened in Northern Ireland last Friday.
The Stormont Executive is expected to discuss whether further restrictions will be imposed after Christmas when it meets Thursday.
Prime Minister Arlene Foster accepted yesterday that “the numbers are not where we would like them to be.”
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