CMO warns of 'autumn surge' if restrictions eased too quickly

Health Chiefs in Northern Ireland are warning we could see another peak in Covid-19 cases in a few months, as restrictions begin to ease.

It comes as Ministers review the current regulations for the first time since publishing the pathway out of lockdown.

The Executive is set to discuss outdoor sports and a full return to the classroom today. (Tuesday)

Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer says we need to continue to do all we can to minimise the remaining risk.

Dr Michael McBride was speaking as he got the first dose of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald:

"I think it is more likely than not that we will see another surge of this virus perhaps towards the autumn time and I think that we all can take measures to make sure that that isn't the case.

"There is absolutely no doubt as we relax the current measures that are in place, we will see case numbers increase.

"Hopefully we have vaccinated most of the people who are at greatest risk of going into hospital and dying...and therefore we will begin to see less pressures on our health service, less people getting really sick and less people dying."

He also urged the public to remember all of the health messages as lockdown begins to ease and vaccines continue to be rolled out.

Dr McBride said the pandemic has taken its toll on everyone: "We're at a very challenging time at present because obviously people are tired, they're tired of the restrictions.

"People are fed up, I'm tired and fed up of the restrictions and I want my old life back as it once was.

"Nonetheless, we are dealing with a much more transmissible variant of this virus."