The chief medical officers in Northern Ireland and the Republic have issued a joint plea to the public to stay at home amid high levels of Covid-19 across the island.
"As CMOs, we are gravely concerned about the unsustainably high level of Covid-19 infection we are experiencing on the island of Ireland," Dr Michael McBride and Dr Tony Holohan said.
"This is having a significant impact on the health of our population and the safe functioning of our healthcare systems.
"Unfortunately, due to the surge of infections we have experienced over the past few weeks, we have seen an increase in mortality figures and our health systems have been placed under immense pressure. We are likely to see ongoing increases in hospitalisations, ICU admissions and mortality in the weeks ahead."
They added: "Many of the patients admitted to hospital in January have been under the age of 65 years. Covid-19 can affect us all, regardless of age or underlying condition. It highlights the need for us all to protect one another by staying at home. Not only will you keep yourself and your loved ones safe, but also help to save lives and avoid more preventable Covid-19 admissions to our currently struggling healthcare systems.
"We will continue to work together to protect public health across the island, as we have done throughout this pandemic, but we need everyone to play their part by staying at home and protecting themselves and their communities."
The joint statement came amid tension between the Stormont executive and Dublin government over data sharing.
First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the Republic was failing to share information on travellers arriving on the island.
Some 44 deaths with Covid and 4,928 further cases of the virus were confirmed yesterday across the island.
Figures released earlier today showed the coronavirus-linked death toll in the north has passed 2,000.
Latest statistics from the Department of Health show 850 Covid patients in hospitals across the north, with 58 in intensive care and 44 requiring ventilation.
Hospitals are operating at 96 per cent capacity.
A total of 142 care homes are dealing with outbreaks.
Meanwhile, in the Republic another 28 people have died and an additional 3,955 cases were confirmed, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said.
There were 169 patients with Covid-19 being treated in intensive care units and Professor Philip Nolan said the incidence of the virus is 20 times greater than at the beginning of December.
He said 44 per cent of all Covid-19 cases ever reported have been returned in the last 14 days, with one in 67 people receiving a diagnosis.
Earlier, Translink announced a reduction in its cross-border train service in line with the latest lockdown restrictions.
