The Department of Health has reported a further 16 coronavirus related deaths.
According to the latest update, 12 of the fatalities are said to have occurred within the current reporting period, and four outside of it.
The death toll in Northern Ireland now stands at 1,779, according to the DoH.
Wednesday's dashboard update reports a further 527 positive cases of the virus, bringing the total number of positive cases to 101,818 since the start of the pandemic.
Over the past seven days, the Department say 4,246 individuals have tested positive in Northern Ireland.
There are currently 775 Covid-19 confirmed patients in hospital and 68 in intensive care.
Meanwhile, pupils and teachers in special schools are to be tested for Covid-19 every week from the beginning of February.
The Department of Health today unveiled plans for the initiative which is being led by the Public Health Agency with help from the Education Authority and Queens University Belfast and aims to find asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases, so they can be isolated along with their contacts, reducing the risk of transmission.
It follows a Stormont Executive discussion on Tuesday about a call for teachers and staff at special schools to be prioritised for coronavirus vaccinations as they have remained open throughout lockdown.
Education Minister Peter Weir welcomed the announcement.
