The number of new coronavirus cases reported in Northern Ireland on Tuesday could be wrong, according to health chiefs.
A total of 79 new cases were recorded in total from both NI (pillar 1) testing and nationally organised (pillar 2) testing which is managed by Westminster’s Department of Health and Social Care.
It falls far short of the 280 new cases reported on Monday.
Health chiefs here say they are investigating a potential “shortfall in the reporting” of pillar 2 testing during which 20 new cases were diagnosed.
Pillar one tests uncovered 59 new cases.
The daily coronavirus dashboard update suggests 812 people were tested for the virus in the last round of tests, 606 by the pillar 1 team and 206 under pillar 2.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "Please note there is currently an issue with the data being reported from Pillar 2 testing and today’s testing figures may be subject to change.
"We are investigating whether there has been a shortfall in the reporting or processing of completed Pillar 2 tests."
A total of 11 further Covid-19 related deaths were also recorded on Tuesday, bringing the DoH death toll to 947.
More than 50,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus since testing began in Northern Ireland.
A total of 2,452 have tested positive in the past week.
The UK Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.
