For a second day in a row, there has been one further Covid-19 death reported in Northern Ireland over the past 24 hours, the Department of Health has confirmed.
It takes the total number of deaths to 543.
There have been eight positive cases reported in that timeframe, bringing the overall number of people to have contracted the coronavirus to 4,862.
Earlier today, the Department of Health published the Coronavirus Related Health Inequalities Report which looked at differences between the most and least deprived areas of Northern Ireland.
Key Findings – Laboratory Completed Tests
– The infection rate in the 10% most deprived areas (379 cases per 100,000 population) was a fifth higher than the rate in the 10% least deprived areas (317 cases per 100,000 population) and two-fifths higher than the NI average (272 cases per 100,000 population).
– The rate among females (308 cases per 100,000 population) was a third higher than males (234 cases per 100,000 population).
– The infection rate among those aged over 65 was almost two-fifths higher in the 10% most deprived areas (1,027 cases per 100,000 population) than the rate in the 10% least deprived (750 cases per 100,000 population) and almost three-quarters higher than the NI average.
– While infection rates were highest in the 10% most deprived areas for under 65s, over 65s, and all ages; the 10% least deprived areas had the second highest infection rate for over 65s and all ages.
– The rate in urban areas was 90% higher than the rate seen in rural areas, however the rate was highest in mixed urban/rural areas (398 cases per 100,000 population).
– Of those testing positive, more than a quarter (27%) were admitted to hospital for treatment, with males (39%) being twice as likely to be admitted as females (19%), and those in the 10% most deprived areas 37% more likely to be admitted than those in the 10% least deprived areas.
Key Findings – Admissions to hospital
– The admission rate for COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected cases) in the 10% most deprived areas (581 admissions per 100,000 population) was almost double the rate in the 10% least deprived areas (317 admissions per 100,000 population).
– The rate for under 75s in the most deprived decile (369 admissions per 100,000 population) was approximately two and a half times that in the least deprived decile (150 admissions per 100,000 population).
– In comparison, the 75 and over rate for the most deprived decile was almost two-fifths higher than in the least deprived decile.
– While deprivation was found to be an important factor of the likelihood of admission, age was found to have a greater impact. – The standardised admission rate for the population aged 75 and over (2,255 admissions per 100,000 population) was 9 times that for the under 75 population (249 admissions per 100,000 population).
