Number of new Covid-19 cases almost doubles in 24 hours
The number of new cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland has almost doubled in 24 hours.
Some 1,083 cases were notified by the department of health on Thursday, up from 636 on Wednesday.
This is the first time the daily case number has been over 1,000 since the peak of the third wave of the pandemic in mid January.
NI #COVID19 data has been updated:
📊1,083 positive cases, no deaths have been reported in past 24 hours.💉2,145,799 vaccines administered in total.
Dashboard ➡️ https://t.co/YN16dmGzhvVaccines ➡️ https://t.co/Yfa0hHVmRL pic.twitter.com/OdKLuDy41D
— Department of Health (@healthdpt) July 15, 2021
The average seven day incident rate per 100,000 people across Northern Ireland was 234 on Thursday.
Derry and Strabane had the highest rate at 372 followed by Belfast on 319 while Fermanagh and Omagh had the lowest rate at nine.
No further coronavirus-linked deaths were reported on Thursday leaving the toll at 2,159.
Meanwhile on Thursday morning there were 80 Covid-19 positive patients in hospital, with two in intensive care.
Watch: First Minister @paulgivan visited the SSE Arena vaccination centre today to get his second Covid jab. Thanking everyone involved in delivering the programme, he also urged those over the age of 18 to come forward and get their Covid vaccine. pic.twitter.com/bJE0JymIu1
— NI Executive (@niexecutive) July 15, 2021
Earlier First Minister Paul Givan encouraged take up of the coronavirus vaccine as he received his second dose at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
He described the vaccine as key to escaping the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic and the impact on our lives.
Mr Givan described “strength in numbers” as important, adding: “the more people get vaccinated the better equipped we are collectively we are to fight this virus”.
To date, 2,145,799 vaccines have been administered.