Covid-19 Northern Ireland: More than 500 new positive cases in the last 24 hours

There have been more than 500 new positive cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours according to the Department of Health.

The department says there have been 533 new cases recorded, which is the highest figure in the past five months.

It was recorded a day after the previous highest figure in five months on Saturday, when there were 460 new cases.

No other deaths have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the deployment of the Covid vaccine continues to accelerate with 2,061,988 doses administered across Northern Ireland so far.

Walk-in clinics were set up across the country over the weekend to further encourage people to get vaccinated.

Monday will also see an easing of restrictions on Covid-19 with the reintroduction of live music and the removal of the 500-person cap on outdoor events.

Welcoming the walk-in clinics on Saturday, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “I welcome these latest walk-in clinics, which bring the vaccine directly to the community.

“My message to everyone who has not yet received their vaccine is simple: get the vaccine. Vaccination protects you and others. It protects the most vulnerable in our community. To counter the spread of the Delta variant, we need to get the first and second doses to as many people as possible in the coming weeks.

“Vaccination is our passport to better times and to return to normalcy. “