Stay Home say Chief Medical Officers

Chief Medical Officers on both sides of the border have voiced their concerns about the high levels of Covid-19 and are urging everyone to stay home.

It comes following statistics released today based on the date of death registration, showing that the provisional number of total deaths from all causes registered in Northern Ireland in the week ending 8th January 2021 was 568, 173 more than the same week in 2020. The figures show that 103 deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in the week 2nd to 8th January 2021. The total Covid-19 related deaths figure has now surpassed 2,000, reaching 2,019. 7th January saw the joint highest number of Covid-19 related deaths occurring in any one day (25) matched by 9th April 2020 and 22nd April 2020.

Chief Medical Officers Dr Michael McBride and Dr Tony Holohan said: “As CMOs, we are gravely concerned about the unsustainably high level of Covid-19 infection we are experiencing on the island of Ireland. This is having a significant impact on the health of our population and the safe functioning of our healthcare systems.

“Unfortunately, due to the surge of infections we have experienced over the past few weeks, we have seen an increase in mortality figures and our health systems have been placed under immense pressure. We are likely to see ongoing increases in hospitalisations, ICU admissions and mortality in the weeks ahead.”

Both CMOs are strongly urging everyone to stay at home except for essential reasons, and to avoid all unnecessary journeys, including cross-border travel.

They said: “Many of the patients admitted to hospital in January have been under the age of 65 years. Covid-19 can affect us all, regardless of age or underlying condition. It highlights the need for us all to protect one another by staying at home. Not only will you keep yourself and your loved ones safe, but also help to save lives and avoid more preventable Covid-19 admissions to our currently struggling healthcare systems.

“We will continue to work together to protect public health across the island, as we have done throughout this pandemic, but we need everyone to play their part by staying at home and protecting themselves and their communities.”