A LEADING doctor has urged another lockdown this month as the health service is facing a "nightmare".
Dr Tom Black, chairman of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, said such a move would be logical.
He noted with concern that there had been 98 deaths from Covid-19 in the last week.
Many shops, close contact services and much of the hospitality sector have resumed business after the lifting of the latest circuit-breaker restrictions.
Health minister Robin Swann has indicated he would have liked stricter restrictions ahead of Christmas.
Restrictions are due to be relaxed further between December 23 and 27.
Dr Black said there was a nightmare ahead for the health service.
"There will be a lot of concern if the numbers continue to rise like this, particularly now that we've opened non-essential retail - we'll be looking at a health service in January with a risk of being overwhelmed," he said.
"The figures aren't helping us, the opening up is not helping us and there's a lot of concern now that the pragmatic decision because of Christmas would not have been made at any other time of the year. I think we need to reflect on that."
Dr Black said he has been paying close attention to outbreaks in care homes and among those over 60, to gauge the seriousness of the situation.
He said these factors would put pressure on Covid wards in hospitals and intensive care units.
"I think it is certainly true that between now and the end of the month we will be announcing another lockdown, the question is when. Do we do it proactively or do we wait until the figures are bad enough that we've no choice, I think that's where we are at the moment," he told the BBC.
"The logical decision now would be to go into at least another four weeks of lockdown. We have pragmatism, we have Christmas, we have politicians who want to be able to give Christmas to the public. There will be a balance there to be struck - between have we pushed our luck too far and do we need to step back and bring in a lockdown like we would at any other time of the year?
"The infection rate is increasing, the health service is under increasing pressure, older people are becoming much more affected by this again in the second wave. (Another lockdown) would be the decision we would make if it wasn't for the fact that we have Christmas coming.
"The Germans with the same numbers, who we think as being ultimately pragmatic, have brought in a severe lockdown across the county because they have number similar to ours at the moment."
