Record 1,217 Covid-19 cases confirmed in the North

A man wearing a face mask in Belfast city centre, Northern Ireland, after the Stormont executive announced closures of schools, pubs and restaurants. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

There have been 1,217 new Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland in the last 24-hour reporting period, the Department of Health has announced.

It is the largest daily rise in cases in the region since an extended testing regime was introduced.