As 43 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health has said the R number is highly likely to be over one at present.

R represents the number of individuals who, on average, will be infected by a single person with the infection. R does not have a fixed value but varies with time, and is likely to be different every day.

When community transmission of the virus is very low, R will show a high degree of volatility and be heavily influenced by small local clusters. It will therefore no longer be the most informative or important number for the purpose of policy decisions. In these circumstances, the number of positive tests per day is likely to be a more important parameter.

Community transmission remains low in Northern Ireland, although it is important to note that the number of positive tests per day has increased three fold from early July.

Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young said: “The most recent data for Northern Ireland underlines the need for continued vigilance.

“There are five key steps each of us can take to keep ourselves and others safe: rigorously maintain social distancing; wash our hands well and often; wear face coverings in enclosed spaces where social distancing is difficult; co-operate fully with the Test, Trace and Protect programme in terms of getting tested and self-isolating when required; and download the StopCOVID NI app proximity that will help us break chains of transmission.”

It was another day with no deaths related to Covid-19 in the country, with the total still at 556.

The 43 new cases were out of 2,753 people tested in the last 24 hours and it brings the total number of positive cases for the virus in Northern Ireland to 6,049.

Fermanagh and Omagh Local Government District remains the least affected area with 182 positive individuals out 8,671 tested. There has been one positive tests in the last seven days in the district. 

The area has 11 deaths, however the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) reported there were 17 deaths in the district up until July 24.

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 854 by July 24 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).