Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire NORTHERN Ireland has recorded its highest weekly Covid-19 related deaths since the pandemic began, new figures reveal. The Northern Ireland Statistics Agency (Nisra) said 145 deaths were registered in the first week of 2021. It brings the agency's death toll to 1,976 by January 8, although administrative delays over Christmas may have affected the number. It comes as a further 26 people died after contracting Covid-19, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health. A further 1,052 positive cases were also confirmed. In the north's hospitals, 840 patients have contracted the virus. Of these, 63 are in ICU with 47 on ventilators. There were 130 patients awaiting admission.