The Well being Minister has urged individuals to get their booster vaccine after greater than 30,000 instances of Covid-19 had been recorded in Northern Eire in simply 4 days.
Robin Swann mentioned the figures had been “deeply regarding” and would put additional strain on the healthcare service.
Mr Swann pointed to knowledge displaying that unvaccinated people aged 50 and over had been virtually 30 occasions as more likely to want a hospital admission with Covid-19 than those that had acquired all three doses.
He mentioned: “As anticipated, we are actually going through into an unprecedented surge, as a result of Omicron variant.
“These figures are deeply regarding and can inevitably imply but extra pressures for well being and social care providers.
“The danger of getting contaminated with Covid is significantly greater than at any earlier time within the pandemic.
“Confronted with this very actual risk, getting your booster dose proper now could be the only most vital step you may take.
“This offers you very important safety, notably from getting severely unwell from the virus. Give it some thought as loading the chances in your favour.
“Don’t delay and find yourself mendacity in a hospital mattress regretting the very fact you simply didn’t get spherical to it.”
Boosters can be found from Well being Belief vaccination centres, collaborating pharmacies and GPs.
The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, mentioned: “If you happen to’re eligible on your booster, please get it now.
“If you’re over 50, you specifically have to get it now. If you happen to haven’t had your first or second dose, it’s nonetheless not too late – some safety is best than none.”
The most recent figures, which cowl from midnight on December 30 to midnight on January 3, additionally notified the deaths of 15 sufferers who had beforehand examined optimistic for the virus.
A complete of 30,423 new instances had been confirmed on Tuesday.
Within the final seven days, 50,627 new optimistic instances have been confirmed.
There are 112 Covid-19 outbreaks at care houses, in keeping with the most recent replace from the Division of Well being
The hospital occupancy fee has been put at 105%.
On Tuesday morning there have been 348 Covid-positive sufferers in hospital, of whom 31 had been in intensive care.
Kaynak: briturkish.com