Health « Thurles Information

Killer Covid-19 Cases Reach 9,408 In Last 24 Hours On Irish Mainland.

The Department of Health has confirmed 7,333 new cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours, in the Irish Republic, as same case figures recorded today, are the highest reported, since early January 2021.

There remain 410 Covid patients in our republics hospitals, down 10 on yesterday, while 107 patients are in ICUs across the country, up 2 from on yesterday.

An Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has stated that the worst of the pandemic could very well remain in front of us and the latest Covid-19 restrictions will be kept under constant review, as the Omicron variant spreads across the country.

People aged in their 40s, here in our Republic, will be eligible to get Covid-19 booster vaccinations as and from tomorrow, Sunday December 19th, 2021.

You can view opening times and other information regarding your nearest vaccination centre HERE

In Northern Ireland, a further 2,075 confirmed cases of the virus have also notified by their Department of Health.

Sadly, a further 5 patients, having previously tested positive for Covid-19, have lost their lives.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases doubling in between 1.5 to 3 days, in areas with community transmission.

Like Ireland, the Netherlands will also implement a lock-down over the Christmas period to try to stop a surge of the Omicron coronavirus variant, Dutch Prime Minister Mr Mark Rutte has stated, this evening. Already today Municipal Authorities in the port city of Rotterdam had urged shoppers, via Twitter, to stay at home, because the city centre was over crowded.

Ignore politicians, keyboard warriors and other self-serving morons, all claiming to be outraged and disgusted at 8:00pm hospitality closures.

There are no closing time adjustments with regards to our hospitals.

Worldwide to date, as far as it can be accurately measured, some 274,008.273 have been infected by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting, sadly, in deaths totalling 5,348,915.
World Vaccine doses administered, amount to 8,654,835,015, according to Johns Hopkins University

Please, Please do take all measures necessary to ensure a safe and happy Christmas in Co. Tipperary.

Note: In Interest Of Public Health.

Based on our public health advice and based on observations of how Omicron is ripping through the population in other countries; it has wisely and regrettably been decided, in the interest of public health, that the following restrictions be introduced with effect from tomorrow, Sunday December 19th until Sunday January 30th: –

All restaurants and bars, excluding takeaways or delivery services, must close at 8:00pm.
There should be no indoor events after 8:00pm.
For indoor events scheduled earlier in the day, attendance should be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is lower.
Attendance at all outdoor events should be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 5,000 people, whichever is lower.
Wedding receptions can take place after 8:00pm, but with a capacity limit of 100 guests.
Restricted movement advice for all close contacts will be enhanced. For those who have received a booster at least one week ago, they will have to restrict movement for five days and take three antigen tests.
For those that have not yet received a booster, they must restrict their movement for ten days. The HSE will consider the best testing regime for people in this category.
All people arriving into the country from overseas will be required to have an antigen or PCR test in line with their vaccination or recovery status.
And all passengers arriving in Ireland should now be advised to conduct antigen testing on a daily basis, for a period of five consecutive days commencing on the day of arrival.

This Christmas, please be safe, look after each other and trust in science.

Killer Covid-19 Cases Reach 5,515 Today On Irish Mainland.

There have been 3,628 new cases of Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health in the past 24 hours, in the Irish Republic.

There are 420 people in hospital who have tested positive for Covid-19, down 23 from yesterday, with 105 of these in intensive care units.

The Department of Health estimates that 35% of cases presently occurring are now infections caused by the new Omicron variant, leading the HSE to concentrate at scaling up ICU capacity, in a move to deal with any required surge in cases.

The Cabinet have agreed to implement an 8:00pm closing time for the hospitality and live events sectors, including indoor venues such as cinemas and theatres, in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 over the Christmas period.

The prospect of this curfew on pubs and restaurants has now sadly unleashed a backbench revolt in Government parties, with Fianna Fáil senators, led by Lisa Chambers and Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty, targeting profit before lives, in their claims that this curfew is a step too far.

In particular Lisa Chambers insults our intelligence by stating that NPHET does not run this country. Rather a pity it does not, more people might still be alive when the pandemic has run its course. Shame on you as you hide away in your protective bubble, but remember, front-line workers in shops, pups, hospitals and the Gardaí all hold the right to vote, come next general election.

Everyone within our Republic has had an even chance to get vaccinated. Time now to just leave the unvaccinated to their ignorance and misinformation. We need to move away from those with qualifications in conspiracy, having graduated from the university of Facebook, and stop harking to unqualified people like Willie O’Dea, Lisa Chambers and Regina Doherty, but instead place our faith in science. There is no hitch on a hearse and no pockets in a shroud.

It may not be popular to say publicly within earshot of members of the hospitality sector at the moment, but our vaccination and booster programmes supported by government, are world class and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, NPHET and HSE staff have done their very best in their efforts to protect us all.

In Northern Ireland a further 1,887 confirmed cases of the virus have also been confirmed by their Department of Health.

There were 312 Covid positive patients in northern hospitals today, of whom 34 remain in intensive care units.

Please, Please do take all measures necessary to ensure a safe Christmas in Co. Tipperary.

More Focus On Enforcement Needed By Local Authorities To Protect Water & Air.

More focused and co-ordinated enforcement is needed by local authorities to protect water and air quality, cautions EPA.

Local authority inspection numbers remained high (180,000 in 2020) despite the impact of COVID-19. However, water inspections decreased by 30 per cent and air and noise inspections decreased by 10 per cent.
Focused water quality enforcement and follow through on non-compliances in key areas such as farm and septic tank inspections needs improvement.
The burning of non-complaint solid fuel remains a key issue impacting on human health, with co-ordinated and targeted inspections of fuel supplies required.
More resources need to be targetted at water and air enforcement to address the environmental and health challenges highlighted.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today released its report on local authority environmental enforcement activities for 2020. The EPA has seen a high level of inspections and enforcement actions carried out by local authorities, with the bulk of these relating to waste and litter. Local authorities also handled a substantial volume of environmental complaints during the year – predominantly relating to waste issues.

**River Suir, Barry’s Bridge, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**

Waste enforcement activities largely remained resilient in 2020. However, the EPA found progress on water and air enforcement priorities lagged behind waste enforcement, primarily due to having less resources assigned to them and a lack of enforcement co-ordination services, across the local authorities.

EPA stated: “The resilience of the waste enforcement activities and better co-ordination through the support of the regional waste shared services is to be commended. However, it is concerning to see the reduced enforcement activity in water, air and noise, given the decline in our water quality and the impact of poor air quality and noise on the environment and human health. Local authorities must address these challenges as a matter of priority in their enforcement activities.”

The national water quality monitoring programme was substantially completed by local authorities, providing up to date information on water quality. However, there is not enough evidence that this information is being used effectively by local authorities to target local enforcement efforts.

Mr Noel Byrne, Programme Manager of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said:

“National water monitoring data is showing a continuing decline in water quality and more needs to be done to protect our water environment. Local authorities need to make sure that they are targeting inspections of farms and septic tanks in the areas of greatest risk and are taking effective enforcement action where non-compliances are found.”

In addition, the burning of non-complaint solid fuels remains a key issue impacting on air quality and human health. Local authorities should engage in co-ordinated and targeted inspections of solid fuel supplies and take follow-up enforcement actions to ensure that the environment and health are protected.

The Focus on Local Authority Environmental Enforcement Report 2020 is available on the EPA website, which contains an infographic highlighting the main findings from the report.

Further information: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie

Killer Covid-19 Cases Reach 6,378 Cases On Irish Mainland Today.

The Department of Health has confirmed a further 4,141 new cases of Covid-19, over the past 24 hours, here in the Irish Republic.

The number of people currently hospitalised with the virus, stands at 443, down 27 on yesterday’s figures, with 108 of these being treated in intensive care units around the country, an increase of 3 cases, also since yesterday.

There have been 8 Covid-19 deaths of persons, here in the Irish republic, all under the age of 25 years, since the start of the pandemic here.
There were also 19 virus related deaths within the last seven days to last Tuesday.

Yesterday saw the largest number of booster doses administered here in the Republic at over 50,000.

As of this morning, the total number of booster vaccines administered in the Irish Republic was 1.35 million.

Dr Colm Henry has stated that there is an emerging concern about the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, which now represents some 27% of emerging cases here in the Republic of Ireland.

The Director of Public Health at the HSE’s National Immunisation Office has that the National Immunisation Advisory Committee very strongly recommends the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11, who have other underlying conditions, or who are living with a younger child with complex medical needs, or indeed who are living with someone who is immunocompromised.

Another 2,237 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Northern Ireland today, up from 2,156 yesterday.

Today, there were 309 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals down from 315 cases also reported yesterday. There remain 32 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospital intensive care units.

Sadly, 6 Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland, with the total number of deaths linked to Covid-19, since the start of the pandemic, now standing at 2,942.

Please, Please do take all measures necessary to ensure a safe Christmas in Co. Tipperary.