INCREASING numbers of patients seeking care for Covid-19 have put hospitals in Belfast under "extreme pressure", health chiefs warned as an urgent public call was made last night for help from off-duty nurses.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said staff were facing challenges in the Royal Victoria and Mater hospitals - leading to the social media post asking nursing staff for immediate help.
"We are under extreme pressure in the RVH and Mater as we care for an increasing number of Covid19 patients, alongside emergency admissions," a spokesperson said.
The latest figures from the Department of Health show there are now 163 inpatients receiving treatment for Covid in the north's hospitals, while the number in intensive care wards has risen to 16 - a rise of six in three days.
Of the ICU patients, eight were on ventilators yesterday.
Another 1,264 positive cases were recorded on Sunday, down from 1,520 on Saturday.
Two more Covid-related deaths have also occurred, taking the overall confirmed total to 2,170.
In the Republic, another 1,126 positive cases were reported on Sunday, bringing the confirmed total for the south since the pandemic began to 292,996.
The south's hospitals had 123 Covid inpatients on Sunday - 22 in ICU wards.
The number of second doses of the vaccine administered in the south is now 2,389,901, out of a total 5,522,270 jabs passing Northern Ireland for the first time, where second dose uptake has just passed the million mark.
Health minister Robin Swann said Sunday's total of 1,008,906 people now fully vaccinated is the result of "a huge amount of hard work and dedication".
He pad tribute to health staff, saying: "I appreciate the long hours you have worked to ensure that we could give the people of Northern Ireland protection from this virus."
Mr Swann added: "For all those who have already come forward for vaccination, thank you. You have helped play your part in getting us to where we are. You have helped to protect yourself, those around you and our health service."
