The number of positive Covid-19 cases has surged by more than 20% week-on-week since December 7.
The Department of Health reported that a further 20 deaths related to the virus occurred over the weekend, when there were an additional 1,634 positive cases.
Last week 83 people passed away after contracting the virus - an increase of 26 compared to the previous seven days.
From the week ending December 7, some 3,191 people tested positive, rising to 3,862 the following week, and 4,699 in the week before December 21.
Queen's University virologist Dr Connor Bamford said Northern Ireland remained in a "very dangerous place" if the numbers go down simply due to the six-week lockdown restrictions, arguing something else may be needed.