Eight further coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland on Friday.
The death toll from the Department of Health now stands at 2,564.
Six fatalities are said to have occurred during the current reporting period, and two outside of it.
A further 1,039 positive Covid cases have also been recorded in NI today.
This brings the total number of positive cases to 239,339 since the start of the pandemic, according to the Department of Health.
Over the past seven days, the Department said 7,622 individuals have tested positive in Northern Ireland.
According to figures released on Friday, there are currently 342 Covid-19 confirmed patients in hospital and 33 in intensive care.
Meanwhile, the Executive has been called to further ease Covid restrictions and reopen nightclubs as the furlough scheme comes to an end.
Hospitality Ulster Chief Executive Colin Neill has said that there has been no thought given to staff in the hospitality sector who remain furloughed as the business they work for has been unable to reopen due to the restrictions in place.
He said that business owners and staff will now be left to fend for themselves as furlough comes to an end.
In a statement, Mr Neill said that the Covid recovery had been handled poorly and parts of the hospitality sector were beginning to feel like the Executive were happy to see their businesses 'crash out'.
For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
