Britain was averaging 935 daily fatalities in the week to January 17, or 16.5 per million people. Asked to explain the figures, Mr Lewis said it was not possible to directly compare countries.
24 deaths and 713 new Covid-19 cases in the North
Hospitals are now operating at 97% occupancy with just 36 ICU beds available.
An estimated one in 13 people in Northern Ireland had had Covid-19 by December last year, new figures show.
Tue, 19 Jan, 2021 - 14:49
Michelle McGlynn and Jane Kirby
Another 24 people have died with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland including 17 in the past 24 hours.
The Department of Health confirmed 713 new cases of the virus.
There are 842 people in hospital with the disease in the North which includes 70 in intensive care.
Hospitals are now operating at 97% occupancy with just 36 ICU beds available.
An estimated one in 13 people in Northern Ireland had had Covid-19 by December last year, new figures show.