AN alarming 27,000-plus cases of Covid-19 were recorded across Ireland on the last day of 2021.
Health chiefs said the actual figure was likely to be even higher due to limits in testing.
The north saw a record 7,215 cases yesterday, a sharp jump compared to the previous high of 4,701 a day earlier.
The figures brought total positive tests over the last seven days in the north to 35,107.
It was a similar picture in the Republic with 20,110 new cases confirmed yesterday. Infections had already hit record levels in the run-up to Christmas.
Derry and Strabane Council area had the highest Covid rates per 100,000 people in the UK over the last seven days, with 3,345 new cases.
The surge comes as it was revealed that one in five of the north’s ambulance staff are off work. The service said more than 200 had been exposed to Covid-19 and about 100 others had other illnesses. The service warned that even the most urgent ambulance call-outs could be delayed.
Almost every hospital in the north is operating beyond capacity, meaning that many sick people are waiting for beds.
Rising admissions in the Republic are also causing alarm. Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the surge in infections “has continued unabated”.
“We are seeing early signs which are giving us concern in terms of hospitalisations,” he said.
“The first three days of this week we have seen hospitalisations exceeding 100 per day.”
Testing services in the north will continue over the new year. PCR test sites will be open from 10am to 3pm today. Usual hours will resume tomorrow. The Department of Health said there had been a “significant increase in demand”.
Last night the Belfast Trust announced further visiting restrictions, including only allowing one of two nominated visitors twice a week unless risk assessments advise otherwise.
The Northern Trust has also restricted visits to one nominated person. In intensive-care units the nominated person can see the patient every other day.
