Coronavirus NI: All 100 critical care beds in Northern Ireland could be used to fight COVID-19

Dr Miriam McCarthy, Director of Commissioning at the Health and Social Care Board, confirmed that critical care beds had been prepared as authorities across the United Kingdom plan for a likely outbreak of the deadly illness.

A patient with the virus being treated in a single room will experience “negative pressure”, where air is sucked back into the room rather than mixing with other patients in hospitals, some of whom may have compromised immune systems.

“We are working to ensure that we protect the critical care capacity for the sickest people,” said Dr. McCarthy.

“We have about 100 beds in Northern Ireland for adults and children.

“We may need every bit of that capacity to deal with people infected by the virus.”

Dr. McCarthy said healthcare experts were attempting to increase the number of critical care beds available and explained that acute care beds throughout Northern Ireland are already under pressure.

Earlier on Tuesday the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, revealed the government’s four part action plan to combat COVID-19.

The 28 page document, which is titled Coronavirus: action plan - A guide to what you can expect across the UK, states that should they be requested by civil authorities to provide support, the army could be deployed throughout the UK.

“There are also well practised arrangements for [Ministry of] Defence to provide support to civil authorities if requested,” reads the action plan.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland has been granted powers to isolate, detain or require individuals with suspected COVID-19 to undergo medical examinations.

Details about the powers were included in the action plan.

In order to make sure people comply with any plan put in place, the PHA in Northern Ireland will have to apply to a lay magistrate to grant an order permitting them to isolate, detain or require individuals to undergo medical examinations.

The government also stated that it is looking increasingly likely that a COVID-19 outbreak is expected in the UK and estimates that one fifth of the workforce could be absent from work as a result of the disease.