More than 120 Ayrshire NHS staff will start the New Year in isolation as Omicron continues to threaten health services.
Health chiefs say an increase in Covid-19 admissions, staff absences and rising emergency attendances will mean NHS Ayrshire & Arran start 2022 under 'significant pressure' due to the new highly infectious Covid strain.
Bosses have confirmed that 126 healthcare workers will spend Hogmanay isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.
This week a post Christmas spike has seen hospital numbers in Ayrshire rocket to the high 80s.
Figures as of Thursday, December 30 show that there were 89 patients in hospitals across the region, with just 67 patients Covid positive the week before.
Dr Crawford McGuffie, medical director said: "Covid-19 has not gone away and positive Covid-19 cases within communities continue to be at a high level.
"An increase in Covid-19 admissions, staff absence and rising emergency attendances, has resulted in significant pressures across the whole health and care system.
"This pressure is being felt right across acute services, and primary and community care.
"As of Thursday, December 30, we currently have 126 members of NHS Ayrshire & Arran staff self-isolating at home as a result of testing positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19).
"This is an extremely challenging time for many of our staff. We are extremely grateful to our teams for the continued support to patient care under difficult circumstances, while also providing support to colleagues."
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