LISTEN: CMO gives graphic description of patients fighting Covid-19

By Brett Campbell

Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer has given a graphic description of what some COVID19 patients will go through in Northern Ireland. 

Dr Michael McBride told MLAs at Stormont that getting oxygen into people's lungs can be a ''traumatic experience'' for them. 

The top doctor also revealed how those those patients who then deteriorate risk spending their final moments with staff who have no choice but to hide behind masks. 

It was in response to a request from MLA Pam Cameron who expressed concerns about “complacency” towards Covid-19 and the wearing of masks.

Health minister Robin Swann confirmed he'll be making proposals to the Executive this afternoon as the number of cases continue to soar. 

He warned that more people could be in hospital within three to six weeks than during the first wave earlier in the spring. 

It comes as the latest figures show Covid-19 related deaths have accounted for 10.9% of all deaths in Northern Ireland over six months.

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) published the data today relating to the 875 Covid-19 related deaths in the region in the last six months.

The figures show males had a “significantly higher “rate of death linked to Covid-19 – 69.9 deaths per 100,000 of the male population compared with 45.8 deaths per 100,000 females.

Covid-19 rates were also found to be highest in the 20% most deprived areas, at 66 deaths per 100,000 population compared with 55.2 per 100,000 persons for Northern Ireland as a whole.

Meanwhile, 102 of the 875 (11.7%) Covid-19 related deaths were persons of working age (aged 20-69), of which the largest group (40 persons; 39.2%) were in the skilled trades, elementary occupations or process, plant and machine operative occupational groups.