Coronavirus NI: Another 7 people lose their lives after being diagnosed with the virus -150 patients in hospitals with COVID-19 - 863 test positive in last 24 hours - 6,268 in last 7 days

The dashboard reveals that another 4 deaths happened witnin the last 24 hour - whilst three other deaths were reported but not within the current reporting period.

A total of 598 people have now died in NI with COVID-19.

Meanwhile another 863 people tested positive for the virus - in the last 24 hours.

In the last 7 days 6,268 people have tested positive in NI.

There are now 23 patients with Coronavirus in ICU.

And there are another 150 inpatients with Coronavirus in 20 hospitals in NI.

And there are now 53 confirmed COVID-19 cases in NI Care Homes - abd 10 suspected cases.

The news comes as Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has claimed Northern Ireland’s health service is facing “collapse” and “catastrophe” unless there is decisive action to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Earlier he told the BBC’s Talkback programme that the system was “heading towards 90% occupancy” and warned there could be “real problems” in the next few days.

“Let’s be real about this – it faces collapse,” he said.

“We have two options here - we can sit back and do nothing and watch the catastrophe unfold or we can take decisive action, work together, work in collaboration and show a greater level of social solidarity to do what’s right.”

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