Derry COVID-19 rate rises for eighth consecutive day and is now highest in the north

Between March 17 and March 23, there were 128 cases giving a seven day rate of 85, up from 81.3 yesterday.

Derry Strabane is now recording the highest coronavirus rate in the north having outstripped the previously worst affected area Mid Ulster, which now has a rate of 80.

Fermanagh and Omagh (24), Antrim and Newtownabbey (32.9), Causeway Coast and Glens (39.5), Mid and East Antrim (40.4), Lisburn and Castlereagh (46.2), Belfast (47.2), Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (47.7), Newry, Mourne and Down (47.7) and Ards and North Down (74.6) all also have lower rates.

2.07% capacity left at Altnagelvin with no more COVID-19 admissions and 32 inpatients across Western Trust

The daily change in the cumulative number of patients with a positive test in Derry and Strabane between March 22 and March 23 was 14 .

In total 11,471 people have now tested positive for the illness in Derry and Strabane.

In total 85,799 vaccine doses have now been administered at the three mass vaccination centres in Derry, Omagh and Enniskillen.

Across the north GPs have rolled out 355,000 jabs.