Health « Thurles Information

New Covid-19 Cases Reach 25,649 On Irish Mainland In Past 24 Hours.

The Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland has confirmed 8,910 PCR cases of Covid-19, as well as 14,215 positive antigen tests, latter logged through the HSE portal; bringing the over all number of cases to 25,649 on the Irish mainland, today.

There are 1,425 people in hospital with Covid-19, in the Republic of Ireland, as per the latest figures today; up from 1,395 on yesterday. There are 53 patients with Covid-19 in the Republic’s hospital intensive care units today, down from 55 yesterday.

The total number of Covid-19-related deaths since the start of the pandemic now stands at 6,685; as per the latest update reported yesterday, Wednesday March 23rd.

In Northern Ireland, a further 2,524 cases of coronavirus were reported today, up from 2,269 cases on yesterday.

There are 538 people with Covid in Northern hospitals, up from 527 on yesterday.

Some 7 patients remain in intensive care with Covid-19 and sadly 2 new Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported on today; bringing the total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, since the start of the pandemic to 3,287.

If you’re going to an indoor area, wear your mask again, if you’re in a large populated area outside and there’s a lot of people around, wear your mask.

New Covid-19 Cases Reach 23,367 On Irish Mainland In Past 24 Hours.

Ireland is currently experiencing, once again, a Covid-19 surge, possibly of the Omicron Plus variant, but sadly people are reluctant to recognise this obvious fact.

The most recent statistics in the Irish Republic, sadly, confirm 26 more deaths over the last 7 days and as of Monday, March 21st, last, this brings the total number of Covid-19-related deaths, since the start of the pandemic to 6,664, despite a total of 7,826,231 vaccines for Covid-19 (excluding boosters) having been administered.

Also, as of Monday last a total of 3,825,475 people have had their first vaccine dose and 3,760,953 have had their second dose, while 239,803 single-dose vaccines have been administered.
A total of 2,881,870 booster jabs have also been administered as of same date.

The Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland has confirmed 7,038 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19, as well as at least 14,060 positive antigen tests, latter logged through the HSE portal, bringing the total number of virus cases to 21,098, within the past 24 hours and bringing the total number of infections on the Irish mainland to 23,367.

As of 8:00am this morning, there were 1,395 Covid-19 patients in our Republic’s hospital; latter an increase of 57 on yesterday’s tally. Of these, 55 patients are being treated in ICU, a decrease of 6 on yesterday.

In Northern Ireland a further 2,269 cases of coronavirus were reported today, down from 2,899 cases reported on yesterday.
There were are 527 people with Covid in northern hospitals, up from 519 confirmed yesterday, with 7 of these in intensive care units.

Sadly, 3 new Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today, bringing the total number of deaths linked to Covid-19, since the start of the pandemic to 3,285.

If you’re going to an indoor area wear your mask again, if you’re in a large populated area outside and there’s a lot of people around, wear your mask.

Thurles Order Of Malta Cadet Recruitment.

Thomas Burke – Order of Malta Ireland – Cadet Leader – Thurles Cadets – Reports:

In recent months the Cadet Unit of the Order Of Malta here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary have returned to their weekly training. Cadets and their leaders have been working very hard to ensure that their skills and their certificates are up to date.

The Cadets are delighted to be attending duties in the local area once more.

The Thurles Unit are now happy to announce that we are recruiting new Cadet members.

Anyone aged between 10 – 16, interested in meeting new friends and learning new skills, that could save a life, should come join the Order of Malta.

The training course for new cadets begins on Friday the 1st of April 2022 at 18:30 hours (6.30pm) in our training centre in Bohervaroon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. [Eircode – E41 HN28]

Any further queries are welcome and can be directed to Tel: 086 7037867.

Today, March 22nd Is World Water Day.

Here in Thurles Town river walkways are expanded, using tarmac, while the water quality of the River Suir itself remains totally ignored by both Thurles Municipal District and Tipperary Co. Council.

The River Suir here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary like so many waterways, in less than 20 years has gone from being pristine clear water to the imitation of almost an open sewer.

Who is responsible for the management of watercourses?

World Water Day is held on March 22nd every year. It is an annual United Nations Observance, first begun in 1993, and held every year since, which is supposed to celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2 billion people currently living without access to safe, clean water.

**River Suir passing through Thurles** Town.

Not that many people care, but World Water Day is supposed to highlight the importance of fresh water and the sustainable management of this most precious of God given resources.

This years World Water Day event focused on groundwater quality and highlight a reminder urging the public to engage with the draft River Basin Management Plan public consultation, which closes at the end of this month.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (whose press releases are regularly featured here on Thurles.Info), recent reports have indicated that nitrate concentrations in our groundwater are continuing to increase.

In the words of groundwater expert and 2020 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate, Mr John Cherry, groundwater is “the Earth’s life support system”. It regulates the freshwater cycle, acting as a giant sponge that can absorb surplus water and mitigate shortages, making it of vital importance in terms of adaptation to climate variability.

Of significant concern is the fact that Ireland is now experiencing a sustained decline in water quality. From a total number of 4842 water bodies in Ireland, the status of our water in lakes, rivers and coastal waters as “good status” or better lies at between 50 and 53%.

Overall, water quality is in decline due to a number of pressures including agricultural activity, hydro-morphology and urban waste water.

Key measures required to address the decline in water quality include reducing the loss of soil from farmland into water, reducing the physical impacts on waters caused by drainage measures barriers such as weirs and continued investment in urban and rural water services.

A key tool in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the next River Basin Management Plan will contain the programme of measures that will help Ireland protect, improve and sustainably manage our water environment to 2027.

Achieving good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries and seas is essential for protecting Ireland’s drinking water sources, environment and people’s quality of life.

As part of the consultation process, over 1000 people have attended 63 regional meetings held by the Local Authority Water Programme (LAWPRO) throughout the country, to receive information on the draft River Basin Management Plan and have their say on measures to improve water quality over the next five years.

A programme of stakeholder engagement has also taken place through meetings with environmental NGOs, agricultural groups, Local Authorities and other water groups.

Members of the public can submit their views on water quality via the public consultation HERE.

New Covid-19 Cases Reach 26,601 On Irish Mainland Today.

The Department of Health here in the Irish Republic, today, has confirmed 7,729 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19, as well as 15,973 positive antigen tests; latter logged through the HSE portal, thus bringing the overall total number of cases to 23,702.

As of 8:00am today, 1,338 Covid-19 patients were in the Republic’s hospitals, which is an increase of 30 on yesterday’s reported figures. Of those, 61 patients were being treated in ICU’s around the country, an increase of 12 on yesterday.

Professor of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin, Mr Luke O’Neill has urged people to get their third Covid vaccination and for those that are vulnerable, to get a fourth jab against the coronavirus. He said the current level of Covid-19 is putting a lot of pressure on our hospitals and that may lead to a curtailment of other medical services.

An Tánaiste Mr Leo Varadkar has stated that the message from Government on masks wearing remains that wearing them is advised in certain settings, while the Irish Nurses & Midwife Organisation (INMO) are calling for the wider use of face masks.

In Northern Ireland a further 2,899 cases of coronavirus were reported today, up from 2,007 cases confirmed yesterday.

There are 519 people with Covid currently in northern hospitals, up from 484 recorded yesterday, with 7 patients confined, with the virus, to northern intensive care units.

Sadly, 8 new Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today, bringing the total number of deaths linked to the virus, since the start of the pandemic, to 3,282.

Let’s get back to sanitising hands and wearing those masks at least while out shopping and while in attendance at other public crowded gatherings.