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'We are frightened, please stay at home' - watch this moving video message from Belfast respiratory team

Doctors and nurses from the Belfast respiratory team stood side by side - but within a safe distance - to send a powerful message out to the people of Northern Ireland about the coronavirus pandemic. That message was: stay at home.

The team posted a video on social media asking people to save lives by staying at home. 

Susie, a respiratory consultant who has been a doctor for 35 years, said: "We are facing our greatest challenge and we are frightened. Help us. Please stay at home." 

Roisin, a respiratory nurse, said:  "Doctors and nurses have died. We need to stay healthy so we can help you. You can help save our lives. Stay at home. 

Anne Marie, a respiratory nurse consultant, said: "Thousands of people could die here. Help us reduce that number. Play your part. Save a life. Stay at home." 

One of the respiratory consultants named Angela said: "This is the crucial time, this is not a rehearsal. You will only have one chance at this. Stay at home."

Thelma, a respiratory consultant, said : You've heard my colleagues. This is a crisis. Please stay at home. We beg you." 

It came after a second elderly Covid-19 patient died in Northern Ireland on Mother's Day.

The victim had an underlying medical condition and was being treated in hospital, Stormont’s health department said.

There were 20 new positives cases of the virus in Northern Ireland as of 2pm on Sunday, bringing the total to 128.

In a seperate video which went viral, a senior doctor pleaded with people to stay at home to halt the spread of coronavirus. It reached thousands within hours of going online.

Dr Julia Courtney, who works as a respiratory consultant in Co Down's Ulster Hospital, was speaking on Friday, a day before the country recorded its biggest daily increase in cases.

Speaking directly into the camera, she told viewers: "It is hard to actually convey just the enormity of the crisis that is looming for the NHS, and so for everyone, in the next few weeks.

"Huge numbers of people will die and the only thing that will have any impact on this impending catastrophe is slowing the spread of this virus.

"This is the week that the most people who are infected without knowing it will cause the virus to spread.

"What you do today will affect the intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the hospitals in the next two to three weeks.

"So please, please, please, stay at home if you can."

It was quickly shared widely across social media, with one hepatology colleague Johnny Cash asking his followers: "Please take the time to listen to Dr Julia Courtney, consultant colleague in the Ulster hospital.

"It is essential the public take the need to socially isolate seriously. We are 14 days behind Italy and six behind Spain."

Asking London-based media and celebrities to retweet it, he told them: "This impassioned plea from a lung consultant needs to be seen right across the UK. Please consider sharing."

Within hours Northern Ireland's health trusts and central health board were also sharing the video and message as official advice began to move towards increasing restrictions on movement among the most vulnerable in society.

Amid reports of crowds flocking to parks and beauty spots across the country and young people continuing to congregate, First Minister Arlene Foster warned social distancing may have to be enforced in Northern Ireland.