BELFAST'S designated coronavirus hospital is almost "at capacity" - with plans to move new patients to a different facility in the south of the city.
The Mater Hospital in north Belfast officially became the main hub for Covid-related cases just over a week ago and closed its doors to A&E walk-ins.
Sources say there has been a spike in admissions in the past 48 hours, with some being referred to specialist wards in Belfast City Hospital.
A trust spokesman said it could not provide figures in relation to the Mater as the situation was "fluid" but confirmed that preparations were underway to care for additional coronavirus patients at a different site if required.
The City hospital houses the north's regional cancer centre, which is in a separate building next to the main 'tower block'.
Coronavirus patients will only be admitted and treated in wards located in the main City building.
Sites for large field hospitals to accommodate the projected surge in cases are still being identified - with concerns raised privately by some medics about the "slow pace" when compared with construction of similar facilities in other European cities.
Meanwhile, experienced doctors and nurses across the trust have been redeployed to the Mater to support the "anticipated higher level of activity" - with the peak expected to hit over the Easter bank holiday weekend.
It is understood health officials are to officially announce over the next day how services will be delivered over the Easter period, with an expectation there will be no 'holiday' arrangements.
A doctor who is preparing for his first shift in one of the new GP Covid assessment centres - which can refer to patients to the Mater - said he believes "strict social distancing" needs to continue for another three months to prevent the hospital system from collapsing.
Dr Michael McKenna, a GP based in west Belfast, also said testing of healthcare workers was urgently needed as many practices were "struggling" due to the number of staff self-isolating.
"This is why we're doing lockdown, then is why we're doing social distancing. If we weren't then the entire system would be overwhelmed and the decisions that would be have to be made in that scenario are just unbearable," he said.
"You're looking at Spain territory or Italy territory."
The experienced medic added that shortcomings in the current IT system through lack of investment wasn't allowing those on the frontline to plan ahead.
"We're working in a system that has always been used to looking back at figures instead of looking at figures that are coming at you - to allow you to plan. We're always using retrospective scoping. We haven't got to the point of setting up a system that provides a live feed," he said.
