Northern Ireland

Covid-19: Nine more deaths as hospitals face huge demand for beds

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hit the health service hard, hospitals are currently over capacity by 235 beds
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hit the health service hard, hospitals are currently over capacity by 235 beds As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hit the health service hard, hospitals are currently over capacity by 235 beds

Nine further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported by the Department of Health.

The department said there had also been 1,472 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.

This morning there were 418 Covid-positive patients in hospital, with 46 in intensive care. Of these, 37 are on ventilators.

Almost every hospital in the north is operating beyond capacity, with the overall hospital system  over capacity by 235 beds.

Today's figures were released after it was revelaed an A&E patient in a Co Fermagnah hospital spent three days on a hospital trolley in what is believed to be one of the longest delays in the NHS. 

Yesterday, an A&E consultant with more than 30 years experience warned the current pressures they're facing are "posing a great threat to patient and staff safety".

So far, 2,449,587 vaccines have been administered.