Key points from Robin Swann’s latest Northern Ireland coronavirus update

A Northern Ireland nurse has outlined her team’s experience working with patients being discharged from ICU during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sister Liz Moore, from the Belfast Trust, detailed how patients during the current surge of Covid-19 are appearing much sicker than during wave one in April.

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon in Stormont, Sister Moore was joined by Health Minister Robin Swann as he issued an update.

Rise in deaths reported by Department of Health on Wednesday

The Department of Health reported a further 11 coronavirus related deaths today.

According to the latest update, nine of the fatalities are said to have occurred within the current reporting period, and two outside of it.

The death toll in Northern Ireland now stands at 1,889, according to the DoH.

Wednesday’s dashboard update reports a further 504 positive cases of the virus, bringing the total number of positive cases to 105,225 since the start of the pandemic.

Over the past seven days, the Department says 3,404 individuals have tested positive in Northern Ireland.

Robin Swann says pandemic is “far from over”

In a stark address to the public, Northern Ireland’s Health Minister repeated the message that has echoed since March.

“We should never underestimate Covid-19 and the damage it can do,” Minister Swann added.

“Today we have recorded 11 deaths in Northern Ireland. That is 11 more families that are now grieving.

“Sadly this pandemic is far from over. There will be more challenges, more set backs and more tragedy. But Northern Ireland can and will get though this.”

Nightingale nurse gives first hand account of pandemic’s impact on staff

Liz Moore said: “I am a Ward Sister in the post-Intensive Care Covid stepdown ward in the Belfast City Hospital. We have been caring for Covid patients since last April. The patients coming out of ICU are very sick and in many cases unable to do anything for themselves. Simple things like eating, swallowing, drinking, walking, talking.

“The ages of patients range from 35 onwards. Most of our patients have been in their 40s, 50s and 60s and some of these patients had no underlying medical conditions. Some of the patients have spent a long time in ICU. Any time from around one week to 66 days and are so ill and frail when they come to the ward.

“They still require oxygen therapy, various amounts and for a period of weeks or months. Some patients really can become unwell again and have to go back to Intensive Care.”

Sister Moore said with the help of their team, they work together to get their patients home to their families.

She said the public must remember that for many patients, they have not seen their families for “a long, long time.”

“It is such a difficult time for them all,” she added.

“Once they get a bit better, we are able to use FaceTime and they are able to see their families again which is just amazing.

“The patients during this time only see us in our PPE. We give them encouragement to keep going. Our staff are still facing challenges daily. We have had to have some difficult conversations with families. Conversations that shouldn’t happen over the phone.

“It has been a tough time for everyone. We are tired but we are determined to keep going and provide care for all our patients. This pandemic is ongoing. You may catch this virus, you may feel a bit unwell. You may lose your taste or your smell. You might have no energy. Or you may be one of those patients who become very unwell and end up in ICU.

“We must all protect ourselves, each other and our amazing health service.”

Update on coronavirus vaccination programme

Robin Swann hailed the progress of Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme as 271,826 doses had been administered.

“That’s an increase of over 13,500 in the last 24 hours, one of our highest numbers of vaccines administered over a single day,” he said.

Mr Swann said a “significant” new consignment of the AstraZeneca jab had arrived in Northern Ireland and is currently being delivered to GP surgeries.

“That will allow us to continue the acceleration of our vaccination programme,” he said.

Health Minister pays tribute to Captain Tom Moore

Mr Swann took a moment during his weekly media update to remember the military veteran and his family.

“He became the epitome of all that is good and noble about how we have come together in a common cause of defeating Covid and supporting our health service and our health workers,” he said.

Covid-19 infection rates “still too high”

Northern Ireland’s coronavirus transmission rates are still too high, the Health Minister warned.

“Infection numbers have come down but they are still too high, we must push them down further and keep them down,” he said.

“We must continue to work so our health service and its staff get the breathing space they need because they can’t continue to go on like this.”

Mr Swann has urged the public to follow restrictions, keep socially distanced and stay at home as much as possible.

“Every breach of the rules, no matter how small, can do harm, every little hurts,” he said.

“So I again urge everyone across Northern Ireland not to slip up now, not to give in now and not to surrender now. Stay focused and stay safe.

“We are making progress, let’s keep building on that, there are no short cuts out of this. Let’s keep being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore as we mourn his loss, let us remember all he achieved, one step at a time.”

For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.