There have been nine more coronavirus-related deaths reported in Northern Ireland, with eight of those occuring in the past 24 hours.
A further 315 individuals have also tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland. It brings the total number of deaths from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland to 983 and the total number of confirmed cases to 51,824 There are 410 confirmed coronavirus patients in hospital, with 33 of these being treated in intensive care units.
Meanwhile Northern Ireland's chief medical officer has insisted that another period of intensified coronavirus restrictions in the new year is not inevitable.
Dr Michael McBride said while a "payback" in infection rates is expected in January following the Christmas relaxations, he said