Covid NI: 3 deaths and over 4,000 cases in last 24 hours

A further 4,701 positive Covid cases have been recorded in Northern Ireland on Thursday.

This brings the total number of positive cases to 394,854 since the start of the pandemic, according to the Department of Health.

Sadly, 3 further deaths have been reported over the last 24 hours which brings the total to 2,979 since the start of the pandemic.

Over the past seven days, the Department said 31,643 individuals have tested positive in Northern Ireland.

There are currently 303 Covid inpatients and 32 people confirmed in Covid ICU.

Meanwhile, The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to reduce the self-isolation period for positive Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland.

From Friday, the public will only have to self isolate for 7 days instead of 10 after a positive result, subject to testing negative on lateral flow tests on days 6 and 7.

First Minister Paul Givan took to Twitter to share the new rules.

In a tweet, Mr Givan said: "The self isolation period for positive cases will reduce from 10 days to 7 days subject to negative lateral flow tests on day 6 & 7.

"This policy will apply retrospectively and takes effect tomorrow."

In an earlier post, the First Minister had announced that there would be no changes to the coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland after their meeting on Thursday.

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