Ten further coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

The death toll from the Department of Health now stands at 2,478.

Nine fatalities are said to have occurred during the current reporting period and one outside of it.

A further 1,304 positive Covid cases have also been recorded in NI today.

This brings the total number of positive cases to 222,005 since the start of the pandemic, according to the Department of Health.

Over the past seven days, the Department said 9,594 individuals have tested positive in Northern Ireland.

According to figures released on Wednesday, there are currently 426 Covid-19 confirmed patients in hospital and 36 in intensive care.

Meanwhile, event organisers have warned that Covid restrictions on indoor gigs in Northern Ireland may lead to further performers pulling out.

A Van Morrison gig was one over the summer to be cancelled due to the current regulations which state attendees must be seated, social distancing must be followed and no dancing is allowed.

Organisers are calling for the social distancing rule to be re-evaluated.

Charlie McCloskey director of events at the Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall said most of September's bookings have now been changed, reports the BBC.

"We have 16 events booked but 15 of those have had to reschedule because they were sold at full capacity without social distancing.

"The current one metre social distancing still leaves live events unfeasible.

"We understand that the virus is still out there. We're going to have to live with it," he said.

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