No new deaths with coronavirus have been reported in Northern Ireland for a third day.

According to department of health figures, which refer mostly to deaths in hospital, the number who have died with Covid-19 remains at 537.

The official statistics also indicate the virus is continuing to spread with three new confirmed cases reported on Tuesday, bringing the total in the region to 4,805.

However, health minister Robin Swann warned against complacency.

“Yes, Covid-19 is in retreat but we must not turn our back on it,” he said.

“I don’t want to get into that position where we say this is done, the race is run.

“While this is welcome news, I don’t want the general public to get complacent because we have got to this point. This is a point that has been a long time in the making.

“I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, we’re still managing over 50 cases within hospitals, we still have six cases within our ICUs so we’re not done yet and the prospect of a second wave is always there.”

According to the latest figures, most of the deaths have been patients in Belfast who are aged 80 years or over.

There were 159 deaths recorded in Belfast, followed by 59 in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council area.

The fewest number of deaths (10) were recorded in the Fermanagh and Omagh council area.

Meanwhile, 358 of those who have died were aged 80 or over, and 154 were aged between 60-79.

Another set of figures is released every Friday by the Northern Ireland Research and Statistical Agency (Nisra), which is usually a higher number as it includes deaths in other settings such as care homes or residences.

That method of counting has also seen a drop in the numbers of deaths recorded in Northern Ireland, with a tally of 757 up to May 29.

The drop in deaths in Northern Ireland comes following 12 weeks of lockdown measures.

Initial strict stay-at-home rules have been subject to a series of easements by the Stormont executive in recent weeks, with smaller retail shops set to reopen their doors this Friday.