168 further coronavirus cases and four more deaths recorded in Causeway Coast and Glens

The number of coronavirus cases in Causeway Coast and Glens increased by 168 over the weekend, official figures show – and four more deaths were recorded.

A total of 45,888 cases had been confirmed in Causeway Coast and Glens when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on April 4 (Monday), up from 45,720 on Friday.

The cumulative rate of infection in Causeway Coast and Glens, which covers the whole pandemic, stands at 31,659 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the Northern Ireland average of 36,441.

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.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 142,807 over the last 24 hours, to 21,359,681.

Free tests in England were withdrawn for most people in the country on April 1, meaning the reported number of coronavirus cases in the UK is likely to be an underestimate.

There were also four more coronavirus deaths recorded over the weekend in Causeway Coast and Glens.

The dashboard shows 270 people had died in the area by April 4 (Monday) – up from 266 on Friday.

It means there have been four deaths in the past week, which is a decrease on five the previous week.

They were among 3,342 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 Causeway Coast and Glens.

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

Figures reported on a Monday are likely to be lower as a result of a lag in reporting deaths over the weekend.