Frontline nurse: Covid patients 'sicker' in third surge

A sister in a step-down Covid ward in Belfast says health staff feel Covid patients are fighting harder in the current wave of the pandemic, compared to the last.

Liz Moore works at the Nightingale Hospital at Belfast City and addressed the media alongside Health Minister Robin Swann on Wednesday.

The region remains under tough coronavirus restrictions which have seen new case numbers drop from more than 1,000 a day to 504 announced on Wednesday.

Mr Swann said the numbers need to be pushed down further and kept down as health workers remain under pressure amid the third wave of the virus.

"Infection numbers have come down but they are still too high, we must push them down further and keep them down,'' he said.

"We must continue to work so our health service and its staff get the breathing space they need because they can't continue to go on like this.''

Mr Swann urged the public to follow restrictions, keep socially distanced and stay at home as much as possible.

"Every breach of the rules, no matter how small, can do harm, every little hurts,'' he said.

"So I again urge everyone across Northern Ireland not to slip up now, not to give in now and not to surrender now. Stay focused and stay safe.

"We are making progress, let's keep building on that, there are no shortcuts out of this. Let's keep being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore as we mourn his loss, let us remember all he achieved, one step at a time.''

Mr Swann hailed the progress of Northern Ireland's vaccination programme as 271,826 doses had been administered.

"That's an increase of over 13,500 in the last 24 hours, one of our highest numbers of vaccines administered over a single day,'' he said.

Mr Swann said a "significant'' new consignment of the AstraZeneca jab had arrived in Northern Ireland and is currently being delivered to GP surgeries.

"That will allow us to continue the acceleration of our vaccination programme,'' he said.

A further 11 deaths were also confirmed on Wednesday, while the number of Covid-positive hospital inpatients is at 701, with 65 in intensive care units.

Sister Moore described patients as "very sick'' and frail, and in many cases unable to do anything for themselves, including swallowing, drinking, eating, walking and talking.

She described the age range of these patients as between 35 and 80, and many had no underlying medical conditions.

These patients do not see their families and only see health workers wearing full personal protective equipment, she added.

"It has been a tough time for everyone, we are tired but we are determined to keep going and provide care for all our patients to get through this awful time,'' she said.

"This pandemic is ongoing. You may catch this virus, you may feel a bit unwell, you may lose your taste, you may lose your smell, you may have no energy or you may be one of those patients who become very unwell, and end up in intensive care, and then come to our ward for recovery.

"We must all protect ourselves, each other, and our amazing health service. So please wear a mask, wash your hands, socially distance, obey the rules and get the vaccine.''