Extra spaces added to Nightingale Hospital for expected Coronavirus surge

According to the Department of Health the plan is to increase the number of intensive care beds from 24 to 32.

At present 20 Covid-19 patients are receiving intensive care at the facility and four beds are available.

The Nightingale was set up during the first wave of the pandemic to deal with the expected surge of patients.

Now hospitals are expecting a rise in Covid-19 cases in the coming weeks.

On Tuesday 1,378 people tested positive for the virus another 18 people died after contracting Covid-19.

There are 126 nurses allocated to provide round-the-clock one-to-one nursing cover for all 24 beds.

The Nightingale was re-established as a regional facility by the Health Minister Robin Swann in October due to Covid-related pressures on the system.

According to the Department of Health, all six of Northern Ireland’s main hospitals are operating at full capacity or beyond.

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