Boris Johnson has urged people to stay at home when they can (Image: GETTY)
She added: “This has been a heartbreaking decision for each of us as chief executives and it s a decision that has not been taken lightly but we re absolutely certain we need to do this now if we re going to be able to provide essential services to those who are the sickest in our society.”
On Sunday the UK recorded another 54,940 coronavirus infections and 563 deaths within 28 days of testing positive for the virus.
A reporting lag over weekends means figures are often lower for Sunday’s than other days.
DUBLIN (Reuters) - Northern Ireland's health minister on Sunday night said COVID-19 was placing the healthcare system under pressure "like never befor.
HOSPITALS were last night said to be "facing into an abyss" as health chiefs warned the number of Covid patients could double by the third week of January.
The Western Trust has appealed for all available staff to report to the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) as Northern Ireland s health service struggles to cope with Covid-19.
In a message on social media the trust urged all staff in the vicinity to report to the Enniskillen hospital for work.
It is understood the staff are being called in to help the Southern Trust deal with extreme pressures. Attention all off-duty staff in the vicinity of SWAH. Due to increasing pressures this evening on the NI Healthcare System we are appealing to you to contact or go directly to the hospital. Thank You, the message read.