Latest figures show a fifth of Covid patients in ICU.
The head of the HSE says hospitals are under "severe pressure" with around 20% of Covid patients in ICU.
The executive is using private hospitals to increase capacity by around 2,800 to 3,000 beds per week.
It comes as just 17 adult ICU beds are available nationwide.
Paul Reid says urgent non-covid care will be provided in private hospitals:

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