Covid-19: Nisra records slight rise in NI s virus-related deaths bbc.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bbc.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BBC News
By Louise Cullen
image copyrightGetty Images
The health minister has warned that the mental health effects of the pandemic will be felt for years to come.
Robin Swann was speaking at the Stormont Health Committee to mark Mental Health Week.
He told committee members that the implementation of a mental health strategy would require significant executive investment and support. We have seen the needs of our communities increase during the last year, said Mr Swann. We know it is unlikely to significantly improve and we are building on a shaky foundation of years and years of under investment.
Covid-19: Half a million in NI have had two vaccine doses
By Louise Cullen
Half a million people in Northern Ireland have now received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
The number of people who have received at least a first vaccine dose in Northern Ireland is expected to reach one million imminently , said the health department.
Getting a second dose maximises protection from Covid-19.
Health Minister Robin Swann welcomed the announcement, which he said was hugely encouraging .
He added that it meant people were benefitting from the longer and stronger protection provided by second doses. It is vital that people keep coming forward for their first and second doses when their turn comes, he said.
BBC News
By Louise Cullen
image copyrightGetty Images
Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificates of eight people in Northern Ireland up to Friday 30 April.
That s an increase of one on the previous week, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).
It brings the agency s total registered deaths to 2,957.
The Department of Health s total for the same date, which is based on a positive test result being recorded, is 2,145.
Nisra s figures are higher because it records mentions of the virus on death certificates, where it may or may not have been confirmed by way of a test.