There has been one further death related to Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health in the last 24 hours reporting period.

It brings the total to 548 deaths in Northern Ireland.

Completed tests show that four people tested positive for the virus out of 1,538 tests. It brings the total number of positive tests to 5,748.

Fermanagh and Omagh still remains the least affected area but the number of positive cases has jumped from 86, reported on Wednesday, to 179.

The new data collection by the department refers to both Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust Laboratory completed tests (Pillar 1) and National Initiative Laboratory completed tests (Pillar 2).

Prior to Thursday, information on laboratory completed tests was only reported for the four HSC Trust laboratories. 

Alongside testing by HSC Trust laboratories, there is a programme for testing being carried out at National Testing Centres, mainly for health care and key workers. 

Information on laboratory completed tests for the National Initiative are available from April 28, with the department waiting for additional data to be provided for the period April 4-28.