Covid-19: 1339 new cases, four further deaths

The number of reported new cases of Covid-19 has risen in the week to Sunday.

There were 1339 new cases of Covid-19 reported for the week to 29 September and four further deaths attributed to the virus.

In the week to 22 September, 1012 new cases had been reported and two deaths were attributed to Covid-19.

The latest figures were released on the last day rapid antigen tests (RATs) were available free. From 1 October the tests will be available only for purchase. Initially, the government was going to stop providing free tests from 30 June but extended this for three months.

Meanwhile new Covid variant, XEC, is spreading rapidly and could soon become the dominant variant around the globe. It was first detected in Germany in August and appears to have a growth advantage over other circulating variants - but it is not a radically different variant.