Latest figures published today by NISRA show that two deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in the week May 1-7.

This is the lowest number of Covid-19 related deaths that have occurred in one week since the end of August 2020. 

The total number of Covid-19 related deaths that occurred up to 7th May 2021 has now reached 2,961.

Of the 2,961 Covid-19 related deaths, 1,959 took place in hospital, 772 in care homes, 14 in hospices and 216 at residential addresses or other locations.

The comparative number of deaths reported daily by the Department of Health to May 7, 2021 was 2,147. These figures are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus, whereas the NISRA figures are based on the information entered on death certificates completed by medical professionals. They may or may not have previously tested positive for the virus and therefore include both confirmed and suspected cases, and where Covid-19 was either a contributor to or the main cause of death.

Further analysis, which includes deaths of care home residents in hospital, shows that of the 1,009 deaths of care home residents involving Covid-19 which occurred between March 18, 2020 and May 7, 2021, 772 occurred in a care home, with the remaining 237 occurring in hospital.

On this basis, deaths of care home residents account for 34.1 per cent of all Covid-19 related deaths; however, no assumptions can be made in relation to where or when the deceased contracted the disease.

Separate analyses, based on the date of death registration, shows that the provisional number of total deaths from all causes registered in Northern Ireland in the week ending May 7 (week 18, 2021) was 270, 21 less than in week 17 and four less than the 5-year average (2016-2020) of 274.

Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate of three of the 270 deaths registered in week 18, a decrease of five deaths from the previous week and the lowest number of Covid-19 related deaths registered since the week ending October 2, 2020.

The total number of Covid-19 related deaths registered to May 7, 2021 has now reached 2,960.

Persons aged 75 and over accounted for 76.1 per cent of the 2,960 Covid‑19 related deaths registered between March 19, 2020 and May 7, 2021.

Over the period of the pandemic, Fermanagh and Omagh has registered 103 Covid-19 related deaths.