Northern Ireland records the first death of a child under the age of 15 linked to the Covid-19 virus

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The first death of a child under the age of 15 linked to the Covid-19 virus has been recorded in Northern Ireland.

A tragic milestone has been revealed in the latest figures provided by the Statistics and Research Agency of Northern Ireland (Nisra).

Patricia Donnelly, head of the Northern Ireland vaccination programme, told UTV she was “really sorry” to hear the news.

“I send my deepest condolences to that family. I think this is a very stark reminder that it is not only the elderly who have contracted this virus,” she added.

In a weekly statement issued by Nisra on Friday, they stated: “The week’s latest registration figures include the first Covid-19-related death in Northern Ireland in the under 15 age group.”

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 27 Covid-related deaths in the 15-44 age group, 262 among those aged 45 to 64 and 436 among people aged 65 to 74.

The figures, covering the period July 24-30, bring the death toll recorded by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) to 3,026.

Of these, 2,006 (66.3%) occurred in hospitals, 783 (25.9%) in nursing homes, 14 (0.5%) in nursing homes and 223 (7.4%) at residential addresses or other locations.

The comparative number of deaths reported by the Ministry of Health was daily until July 30, 2189.

The Nisra number was obtained from different data sources than those reported by the Stormont Department of Health. It is always above the department’s total as it provides a broader picture of the impact of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, teenagers in Belfast have spoken of being motivated by a desire to protect their families after they became the first to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in the UK.

On Friday, Northern Ireland became the first region in the UK where people aged 16 to 17 without underlying medical conditions could receive a prick.

The teens were able to attend appointments at seven regional vaccination centers across the region.

At the SSE Arena in Belfast, Meabh Magee, of Glengormley, was among those in attendance for her first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine.

“It was my idea (to get it) because I thought since it was offered to me, I might deal with it to protect my family because I have people who are at high risk and so I can see them,” she said.

“Most of my friends are also happy to have it. I think it’s good to be shown to us and we can get it.

“It makes me more confident about going back to school and being with a lot of people.”

Elliot Aston, of Newtownards, Co-Down, said he was “so excited” to receive the first jab.

“It’s a good thing that they’re finally showing it to us because we might be the most out of it, so I think it’s time,” he said.

“I have an introductory day back to school coming up so I will definitely feel more secure now around my friends.

“Some of my friends were here today getting it too.”

The Ministry of Health has been contacted.

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