A RURAL GP has described last week as "the worst yet" during the pandemic - and warned many people were putting off getting Covid tested due to self-isolation fears.
Dr John McSparran, who is based in Cushendall, Co Antrim, said he dealt with 25 patients one morning, many of whom had coronavirus symptoms.
With almost 30 per cent of 18 -29 year-olds not jabbed, the experienced medic said a significant number were young people.
"Last week was the worst week I have seen in all of the Covid crisis, a lot of it was Covid but not all," he said.
"I have never saw it as bad, I don't know why. I had to send three patients to hospital in the past fortnight who were aged over 70.
"But many I saw or spoke to on the phone were teenagers and those in their twenties - and who were not vaccinated. The bit that I find infuriating is that they have cough and cold symptoms but when I ask them if they've taken a Covid test, they say no.
"Some don't want to be bothered but others don't want to isolate for 10 days. So the biggest difficulty for us at the moment is telling people they need to go for the PCR swab if they have symptoms - not the lateral flow test."
Some city based GPs have also reported a spike in calls among those with with respiratory related illnesses.
With an announcement on the Covid booster programme imminent, it is expected that it will be delivered along with the winter flu jab in GP surgeries.
Dr McSparran said they were in a "state of limbo" in relation to planning.
"We would normally be contacted about supplies around this time so we can start the flu rollout next month but we are still waiting on word," he added.
The medic added that latest guidelines on vaccinated healthcare workers who are "household contacts" of a positive case being forced to self-isolate for 10 days was also impacting on staffing levels.
The guidance was issued last month by the Chief Medical Officer for those health professionals working with vulnerable patients.
"I know of vaccinated colleagues who can't go into healthcare settings, such as surgeries and care homes, despite testing negative - but they can fly their kite down in the pubs, play golf and go into shops.
"That's a real peculiarity and leaving some surgeries under serious pressure."
Read more:
- Children aged 12-15 to be offered Covid-19 vaccine
- Covid-19 vaccination booster programme to begin this month
