Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hospitals to come under huge strain
HOSPITALS across Northern Ireland will come under “intense pressure” across the next seven days, the Health Minister said.
Robin Swann gave the warning as another 19 deaths, bringing the total to 1,625, and 640 new infections were revealed
There were 823 patients in the region’s hospitals with Covid-19 yesterday, 65 of whom were being treated in intensive care.
Mr Swann told the BBC: “Unfortunately, when we saw the number of positive cases two to three weeks ago, we knew this was what was in front of us.
“We know that the next seven days is when we will see that real intense pressure coming on our inpatients and our intensive care units.
“Our worst-case scenario has us modelling up to
1,200 inpatients and that’s a serious pressure, but then in the week to 10 days that follow the additional pressures come on our ICU beds.”
SURGE
The minister said there are surge plans for ICU to accommodate up to nearly 200 beds.
He added: “That comes at a stretch, that comes with putting our staff under severe pressure in ICU units.
“That’s not something we want to do but it’s something that we have modelled and built into that surge capacity.
“Today, we have 144 ICU beds across our system stood up and staffed and that looks after not just Covid patients but also other patients who need
ICU support.”
As of yesterday, 146,733 vaccinations had been administered in Northern Ireland. This includes 125,717 first and 20,016 second doses.
Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill said there has been “no resolution” with the Irish government over data sharing around travellers.