Mid Ulster surpasses Derry as area with highest COVID-19 seven day case rate

According to the latest data published on Tuesday by the Department of Health over the seven days October 20 and October 26 there were 792 positive laboratory completed tests in Mid Ulster giving a case rate of 536.9.

In Derry and Strabane over the same period there were 737 positive tests giving a case rate of 489.1.

While still exceptionally high it is the first time in several weeks that Derry and Strabane has not recorded the highest rate in the six counties.

The last time that happened was in the seven days September 13-19, well over a month ago, when the Derry and Strabane rate was a much lower 76.3 and Belfast's was 77.4.

The daily change in the cumulative number of patients with a positive test in Derry and Strabane between October 25 and October 26 was 64.

In total 5156 people have now tested positive for the illness in Derry and Strabane since the health crisis began in the spring.