Northern Ireland has recorded its highest weekly coronavirus death toll since the pandemic began. Another 156 fatalities occurred in the week of 9-15 January, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) said.
The figure emerged as Stormont ministers decided to extend the post-Christmas lockdown for a further four weeks until 5 March.
In a statement, Nisra said: "Two days, the 11th and 7th January 2021, saw the joint highest number of Covid-19-related deaths occurring in any one day since the start of the pandemic. "Latest figures published today by Nisra show that 156 deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in the week 9th to 15th January 2021, the highest weekly number since the pandemic began." The total number of Covid-related