More routine operations have been cancelled at Borders General Hospital as coronavirus puts pressure on the NHS.
Surgeries had already been suspended until the end of the year.
NHS Borders has now said that no routine operations will take place before February.
The health service warned that it was “preparing for a further increase” in the number of Covid cases in the region.
However, it stressed that urgent and cancer procedures would still go ahead.
Ralph Roberts, chief executive at NHS Borders, said: “Taking this decision is not easy but it is necessary to make sure that we are able to continue vital services during this challenging time.
“We continue to see a rise in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Borders and we must plan our services accordingly.
“I would like to apologise to those that this decision affects and I fully appreciate and understand how disappointing this must be.
“However I hope you will understand that patient and staff safety is our top priority, including providing the highest quality of care and support.”
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