Belfast hospital to become base for Coronavirus

They say that a number of wards have been identified and preparations are ongoing to enable them to treat seriously-ill patients.

NI has 12 cases of the virus and most of them are self-isolating.

However, according to the BBC two of the patients were being treated in the Royal Victoria Hospital on Saturday and one had an extremely high temperature.

The Belfast Trust said, like all trusts, it was planning provision for any positive cases who needed hospital care in the coming weeks.

“These arrangements will involve identifying wards and units and prioritising care for the sickest patients,” it said.

“The trust is looking at how best to do this across all acute sites including the Mater Hospital.”