The Ulster Hospital's Emergency Department is experiencing an increase in the number of patients being admitted with Covid-19.
On Tuesday, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said the Ulster Hospital was under extreme pressure with 109 patients in ED and 61 awaiting admission.
The Trust also issued an urgent appeal for nursing staff to help in its Emergency Departments in the Ulster and Lagan Valley Hospitals and also in medical wards in either hospital.
It came as all remaining Covid-19 restrictions were formally lifted from 5pm on Tuesday after Health Minister Robin Swann sent legislation through the Northern Ireland Assembly.
On Wednesday morning, there were 58 patients in ED at the Ulster with the longest wait of 45 hours for a bed.
There were 45 patients waiting for a bed with 32 facing a wait of more than 12 hours.
Jennifer Nicholson, Lead Nurse at the Ulster Hospital ED, said while the situation had eased, it was still early in the day and the numbers were expected to increase.
She told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that the added pressures were caused by a range of factors, including a rise in Covid admissions.
"We have seen an increase in the number of very sick patients coming in over the last 10 days, needing emergency care. Unfortunately those patients do require a longer stay in hospital, as a result," she explained.
"We've also seen an increase in the number of medically fit patients who are ready for discharge and we would appeal to those patients and their families to help us by discharging as soon as they can from hospital."
Ms Nicholson said the Trust has also seen an increase in Covid admissions.
"Early last week, we had patient numbers in the mid 40s and this morning, we had 89 in the hospital currently with Covid.
"We have a number of staff off with Covid and normal winter sickness too and that's impacting on our workforce available to help care for these patients," she added.
"Currently we have 11.8% off with sickness and that is in keeping with what other Trusts are experiencing regionally as well."
When asked about the increase in Covid admissions amidst the lifting of all remaining legal restrictions, Ms Nicholson said: "The easing of restrictions is a matter for Stormont but as a Trust we will continue to follow the guidelines.
"We have issued that advice to our staff and the public and we want them to maintain social distancing, continue to wear face masks and practice hand washing.
"We are continuing to follow the guidance and seeing an increase in patients coming in with Covid, so we don't have a feeling that it's all over."
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