Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's health minister in plea for more ventilators as seven more coronavirus cases reported

Health Minister Robin Swann. Picture by Justin Kernoghan
Health Minister Robin Swann. Picture by Justin Kernoghan Health Minister Robin Swann. Picture by Justin Kernoghan

Northern Ireland has recorded seven new cases of Covid-19 since Sunday, Stormont health minister Robin Swann said.

Mr Swann said as of 14:00 GMT Monday, 1,171 tests had been carried out here.

Mr Swann said 88 intensive care unit (ICU) beds were available and there were plans to expand that to 126 adult beds.

A total of 139 ventilators are available and Mr Swann asked if anyone in Northern Ireland could help produce more by “reprofiling” their manufacturing equipment.

Rolls Royce and the JCB construction equipment manufacturer in Great Britain have said they can do so.

Forty new ventilators are to be ordered for Northern Ireland, 30 for adults and 10 for children, increasing the total to 179 by the end of the month.

The minister added: “We will come to a point where we won’t be using operating theatres.

“We will be able to use the ventilator points there to ventilate patients when we get to that stage. Be under no illusion what is coming down the road at us.”

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, which provides services in parts of Co Down near Belfast, said it was “down-turning” non-urgent activity.

It said: “This will include non-urgent consultant-led outpatient appointments, day cases and inpatient and diagnostic work.

“This downturn will allow staff to focus on preparations and the training required to care for Covid-19 suspected and confirmed cases.

“It will also ensure that sufficient capacity is released to address any increase in demand for services.”