Health Minister Robin Swann
And he is increasingly of the view the pandemic has the potential for another “full scale assault” with the winter just around the corner.
The Minister said that the latest two COVID-19 in deaths in the North of Ireland is “devastating news”.
“More people will sadly lose their lives and others will suffer long-term damage to their health,” Mr Swann added.
“This will be a tough winter, probably the toughest our health service has ever faced.”
Mr Swann said surge plans are putting in place and a second ‘Nightingale facility’ will be established in time for the winter, providing an additional 100 beds.
The second ‘Nightingale facility’ will be set up at Whitebbey Hospital on the northern outskirts of Belfast.
There are fears that when winter strikes later this year, a second wave of the Coronavirus will hit the North of Ireland, putting hospitals under further pressure.
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