NORTHERN IRELAND’S DEPARTMENT of Health has reported a further 570 confirmed cases of Covid-19 this afternoon.

In its latest Covid-19 update, the department has confirmed that six more people have died.

The total number of deaths since the first outbreak of the virus in the North now stands at 730.

The total number of positive cases is 40,179.

In hospitals, there are 413 Covid-19 inpatients in the North, with 51 patients in ICU who have a confirmed case of Covid-19.

Currently, there are 117 active Covid-19 outbreaks in care homes around Northern Ireland.

Of the 4,629 positive cases confirmed in the North in the past seven days, 970 have been reported in Belfast, 580 are in Mid Ulster, and 450 are in Derry City and Strabane.

Most of the positive cases from the last week have been among people aged between 20 and 39  (1,596 cases) and between 40 and 59 (1,471) cases.

586 people from birth to age 19 tested positive in the last week, 667 people aged between 60 and 79, and 309 people aged 80 or over.

Pubs, restaurants and cafés are closed in Northern Ireland until 13 November, with the exception of take-away and delivery services.  

The closures were brought in in October in after the North saw sharp increases in the rate of Covid-19 infections.