COVID-19: 'this pandemic is far from over' health service chief warning
The CEO of Northern Ireland's biggest health trust delivered a blunt warning to those who believe further restrictions should be eased immediately.
Dr Cathy Jack, who heads up the Belfast Trust, said the covid pandemic was "far from over'' and the health service was currently "besieged''.
She also said more than 70% of Covid-19 patients in intensive care have not been vaccinated.
Urging that those who are fit to be discharged are, she said: "Simply and starkly, we need the beds.
"As a chief executive I worry for the safety of our patients, service-users and staff, given the challenges ahead.
"If Covid is allowed to spread freely in society and the vaccination rate does not rise beyond 90% we will face a grim winter ahead.
"The best thing that we can do to protect the health service is to vaccinate the remaining 12% of the adult population.
"If this happened we would be in a much better and safer place. Every single jab counts and makes a difference.''
Her comments come ahead of today's Stormont Executive meeting.
it is understood no further restrictions will be lifted following today's meeting.
Earlier this week both First Minister Paul Givan and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill alluded to a cautious approach given the current state of play with our health service.
Downtown Radio & Cool FM also heard from a frontline consultant, Dr Andrew Dobbin, who warned of a significant increase in ED pressures with many patients needing beds.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Robin Swann warned that a hospital emergency department could be forced to close in a "nightmare scenario'' this winter as the pandemic continues, Robin Swann.
He revealed the health service was already "under pressure as never before'', with staff "exhausted and burnt out''.
"And yet the pressures will increase further this winter,'' he said.
"We must guard against giving the impression that the Covid threat is fading or that the pandemic is petering out,'' he said.
"Carefully easing restrictions is one thing, a free-for-all is another.
"If all caution is dropped, then our health service crisis will deepen. It would in all likelihood be overwhelmed.
"In a nightmare scenario, it could even mean one of our emergency departments so overcrowded and patient safety so compromised they could have to close the doors, and that could lead to ambulances unable to respond to emergency 999 calls in the community.
"That's what overwhelmed could look like, so we must not let that happen.
"As minister I will do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't happen, so I'd ask you to please support me and support your staff and get your jab.''