The official website tracking the cases and deaths said there had been a ‘technical issue’ which was resolved but added that there will be some additional cases over the next coming days which will increase the number of infections reported

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has skyrocketed by 12,872 – which is nearly double the previous 24 hour record.

The cases include infections previously missed going back to September 24.

The previous record was 7,143 also recorded during the second wave of the deadly bug.

Deaths in all settings have gone up by 49 to a total of 42,317.

The figures are usually released daily by the Department of Health on its website at 4pm but today they were not made public until 8.45pm.