Seven further coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland on Friday.
The death toll from the Department of Health now stands at 2,646.
The fatalities are said to have occurred during the current reporting period.
A further 1,355 positive Covid cases have also been recorded in NI today.
This brings the total number of positive cases to 264,803 since the start of the pandemic, according to the Department of Health.
Over the past seven days, the Department said 8,663 individuals have tested positive in Northern Ireland.
According to figures released on Friday, there are currently 358 Covid-19 confirmed patients in hospital and 33 in intensive care.
Meanwhile, a Stormont decision to lift coronavirus rules despite mounting pressures on the health service has been branded "complete madness" by medics.
Dr Tom Black, chair of BMA's Northern Ireland council, said the relaxations planned for the end of the month would ultimately lead to more Covid-19 deaths.
He criticised the move as "stupidity" as he warned the health system in the region was facing its "worst crisis ever" this winter as it dealt with the "triple whammy" of Covid, winter pressures and spiralling waiting lists.
Dr Black's comments came amid signs of growing divisions within the powersharing administration over the plans, with Alliance Party and SDLP ministers insisting the relaxations should only proceed if accompanied by mandatory vaccine passports.
On October 31, nightclubs are due to reopen in Northern Ireland and social distancing rules that currently limit capacity in bars and restaurants will move from regulation to guidance.
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