Coronavirus: NI deaths fall for tenth week

CoronavirusGetty Images
By Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI Political Reporter

The number of coronavirus-linked deaths in Northern Ireland has fallen for the tenth week.

In the week up to 10 July, government statistics agency Nisra said the virus was mentioned on the death certificates of nine people.

That is two fewer than the previous week.

Up to last Friday, that means there has been a total of 844 Covid-19 related deaths.

Coronavirus in Northern Ireland. Deaths registered where Covid-19 is recorded on death certificate. Graph showing place of death over time Data up to and including week ending 10 July.

By the same date the Department of Health's daily figure, based on positive test results, was 555 - almost 300 fewer.

There have been 440 deaths in hospital (52.1%), which includes the deaths of 79 people normally resident in care homes.

Coronavirus in Northern Ireland. Deaths registered where Covid-19 is recorded on death certificate. Graph showing place of death over time Data up to and including week ending 10 July.

Taking into account that number, and the 347 who died in care homes, it means the deaths of people normally resident in care homes account for half (50.5%) of all Covid-19 related deaths.

Eight people (1.0%) have died in hospices and 49 people (5.8%) have died at residential addresses or other locations.

People aged 75 and over account for 80% of all Covid-19 related deaths.

Coronavirus in Northern Ireland. Age of deaths registered where Covid-19 is recorded on death certificate. Graph showing place of death over time Data up to and including week ending 10 July.

People with addresses in the Belfast council area account for 242 or 29% of all Covid-related deaths.

Coronavirus in Northern Ireland. Location of deaths registered where Covid-19 is recorded on death certficate. Data up to and including week ending 10 July.

Fermanagh and Omagh has recorded the fewest number of deaths, with 17 fatalities in the area linked to the virus.

Excess deaths

The provisional number of all deaths up to Friday, 10 July was 275 - 14 fewer than in the previous week and 20 more than the five-year average (255).

That five-year death rate is used to compare the number of weekly deaths that would normally be recorded at this time of year.

Coronavirus in Northern Ireland. Weekly deaths registered regardless of cause . Graph showing place of death over time Data up to and including week ending 31 July.

Nisra also recorded the number of "excess deaths" registered in the past 15 weeks as 1,021.

Their measure captures all deaths linked to coronavirus - those involving confirmed infections, which feature in the health department's daily figures, as well as the suspected cases in which coronavirus is mentioned on the death certificate.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that Northern Ireland will receive extra funding as a result of £3bn announced to help the NHS in England.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Johnson said it would ensure the UK was able to be ready for winter and "plan for the worst".

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