COVID-19: more ICU beds as NI hospitals deal with patient hike
Last updated 26th Jul 2021
Extra intensive care beds are being made for pressure-hit hospitals in Belfast as doctors and nurses tackle a surge in Covid-19 admissions.
Northern Ireland's chief nursing officer, Charlotte McArdle, said there was a significant increase over the weekend, with 27 positions being occupied on Sunday.
She said about 60% of those admitted have not been vaccinated.
Ms McArdle said there was currently no plan to reopen the region-wide Nightingale facility at Belfast City Hospital but she warned that would become a "very real possibility'' if the surge continues.
Her comments came after both the Belfast Trust and the South Eastern Trust issued emergency appeals to off-duty staff on Sunday to come in to work to help colleagues deal with the escalating situation.
She said an increasing number of young people were also being admitted to hospital with the disease.
In Northern Ireland, only 56% of people aged 18-29 have come forward for vaccination to date, an uptake rate that is causing concern about senior health officials.