There were 16 positive cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hour reporting period, according to the Department of Health, with one new case in Fermanagh and Omagh.

905 people were tested with all the positive cases being recorded from Pillar 2, the National Initiative Laboratory Completed tests.

Pillar 2 tests include samples from Regional Testing Centres such as St. Angelo's Airport, mobile testing units and home testing kits.

Fermanagh and Omagh now has 181 positive cases and the area has 11 deaths, however the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) reported there were 16 deaths in the district up until July 3.

There have been two positive cases in the last two weeks in the district.

There are now 5,815 positive cases of the virus in Northern Ireland out of 124,190 tests.

The death toll for Covid-19 remains at 556, with no death reported in the daily update.

The latest statistics from the Department of Health are mainly from hospital fatalities where a person has tested positive.

NISRA data shows death toll reached 839 by July 3 and this includes care homes/ in the community/hospice and hospitals.

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).

The Department of Health also published the Covid1-9 reproduction number with the current estimate between 0.5 and 1.

R represents the number of individuals who, on average, will be infected by a single person with the infection.

A cluster of Covid-19 cases has been identified in the Limavady area of Co. Derry with Health Minister, Robin Swann saying it has long been "anticipated and warned that clusters will happen".

“I want to commend colleagues in the Public Health Agency for the work they are doing in keeping people safe through the Test, Trace and Protect programme.

“I would once again urge everyone across Northern Ireland to guard against complacency. The virus is still present in our community and must never be underestimated.

“Please stick to social distancing at all times and keep washing your hands  regularly with the same rigour as at the start of this pandemic.”

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael McBride said: “Today’s news underlines once again that we have to keep up our guard against Covid-19.

“Social gatherings in private residences have been an issue on both sides of the border.

“We have made important strides forward against the virus, but we must always remember that we have a long way to go.  We face a very uncertain next few months and the very real prospect of a very challenging autumn and winter.

“Please keep following the public health advice at all times. Stay safe and save lives. And make sure you avoid crowds, closed spaces and close contact when you are socialising.”