109 further coronavirus cases and two more deaths recorded in Belfast

The number of coronavirus cases in Belfast increased by 109 in the last 24 hours, official figures show – and two more deaths were recorded.

The number of coronavirus cases in Belfast increased by 109 in the last 24 hours, official figures show – and two more deaths were recorded.

A total of 127,717 cases had been confirmed in Belfast when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on April 22 (Friday), up from 127,608 on Thursday.

The cumulative rate of infection in Belfast, which covers the whole pandemic, stands at 37,283 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the Northern Ireland average of 37,167.

In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, if one person tests positive for the virus more than 90 days after the first infection, two infection episodes will be recorded, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

The end of free tests in England means the reported number of coronavirus cases in the UK is likely to be an underestimate. However, the Office for National Statistics estimates that 3.8 million people had Covid-19 in the week ending April 16.

There were also two more coronavirus deaths recorded in the latest 24-hour period in Belfast.

The dashboard shows 623 people had died in the area by April 22 (Friday) – up from 621 on Thursday.

It means there have been five deaths in the past week, which is an increase on three the previous week.

They were among 3,405 deaths recorded across Northern Ireland.

The figures include anyone who died within 28 days of a positive test result for Covid-19, and whose usual residence was in Belfast.

Daily death counts are revised each day, with each case backdated to the actual date of death.