Third coronavirus surge warning as 14 more deaths confirmed and record 1,566 cases

By Q Radio News

Another 14 people have died after contracting Covid19 in Northern Ireland. 

The Department of Health has also confirmed another 1,566 people tested positive for the infection in the past 24 hours. 

A total of 1,305 fatalities have now been recorded here.   

It comes as the head of the British Medical Association here warns that a third surge of Covid-19 cases is expected in the middle of January.

Dr Tom Black also warned that more cases of a new variant of coronavirus are likely to be seen in the next few weeks.

However he anticipates some improvement in February and March as more people are vaccinated. 

"I think the biggest concern over the next month is that there will be more Covid positive patients in Northern Ireland," he said.  

"There will be more need for hospital beds, for emergency attendances and for intensive care beds and that will probably peak in the second or third week in January.

"The result is that the health service in Northern Ireland will be under a lot of pressure at that time." 

Dr Black says most residents and staff in nursing homes have already been vaccinated. 

"We're vaccinating as many frontline healthcare workers as we can so as to reduce infection rates," he added. 

"That's with the Pfizer vaccine - we are hoping now that we will get the AstraZeneca vaccine made in Oxford in bigger numbers and we'll be able to vaccinate all the over the over 80s by the end of January.       

"That would be a big help in terms of reducing death rates and the pressures on the health service." 

The Department of Health issued this statement on Tuesday afternoon:

Don’t bring Covid-19 home for 2021 

As the New Year approaches, Health Minister Robin Swann issues a warning to everyone to keep to restrictions.  

This comes as a significant rise in positive cases is seen, particularly in those aged 20-39. 

The Minister said: “We are now familiar with the additional restrictions which came into effect on Boxing Day.  Whilst it is challenging, the new restrictions are essential if we are to drive down the positive cases in Northern Ireland.

“We continue to see large numbers of positive cases and deaths on a daily basis and we need a collective effort if we are to turn the tide against this virus.  It is well known that Covid-19 poses a significant threat to our elderly population but it can affect anyone and can be transmitted by everyone.”  

On 29 November 20-39 year olds accounted for 27.5% of positive cases.  Today that figure is 41.5%.

The Minister said: “The rise in this age group may be linked to behaviour and although young adults may think they are immune to Covid-19, their relatives and loved ones are not.  We must all redouble our efforts to push down infection rates. That does not mean some people must make sacrifices and restrict their lives while others do not.  

“We can all do this by reducing our contacts and staying at home. If you do have to go out, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly.  Do not be that person who brings Covid-19 home in 2021.  Our health service is going to be under severe pressure over the next few weeks, please do not add further to that.”

PSNI says "as of 9am this morning there are currently 394 Police Officers/Police Staff Covid-19 absent – 314 of which are self-isolating."

Also, police have issued the following figures on Covid enforcement: pic.twitter.com/LWPK3uvlPz

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 29, 2020

Breaking - 9 #COVID19 deaths & 1,546 new cases in the Republic, the highest RoI daily total.

Confirmed earlier for NI - a further 14 deaths & 1,566 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number here.

RoI National Public Health Emergency Team: pic.twitter.com/BFysLxIUNe

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 29, 2020