Health « Thurles Information

Large Decrease In Air Pollution From Traffic In 2020 Due To COVID-19.

While air quality in Ireland in 2020 was generally good there are worrying localised issues.
Air pollution from traffic fell at all monitoring stations, particularly at urban roadside locations, as a consequence of reduced traffic volumes due to Covid-19 restrictions.
However, Ireland was above World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines for particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone at 52 monitoring sites, mostly due to the burning of solid fuel in our villages, towns and smaller cities.
Fine particulate matter from the burning of solid fuel remains the biggest contributor to poor air quality in Ireland, responsible for an estimated 1,300 premature deaths per year.
The choices we make in how we heat our homes and how we travel directly impacts the quality of the air we breathe.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today launched its annual air quality report ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2020′. The report shows that, while air quality in Ireland is generally good and compares favourably with many of our European neighbours, there are worrying localised issues which lead to poor air quality.

EPA monitoring shows that Ireland was compliant with EU legal limits in 2020, largely assisted by the significant reduction in traffic due to Covid-19 restrictions. Air pollution from traffic – nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – fell at all monitoring stations, but most notably at urban-traffic locations where levels fell by up to 50%.

However, air quality levels were above the WHO stricter guideline values at 52 monitoring stations, largely due to the burning of solid fuel for home heating.

Air quality has an impact on people’s health and there are an estimated 1,300 premature deaths in Ireland per year due to levels of fine fine particles (particulate matter) in our air. Levels of this pollutant are of growing concern and are particularly high during the winter months, when people’s use of solid fuels such as coal, turf and wood impacts negatively on-air quality, especially in villages, towns and smaller cities.

The EPA air quality report notes that any movement towards cleaner home heating choices and less smoky solid fuel choices will result in a subsequent improvement on air quality.

Launching the report, Air Quality in Ireland 2020, Dr Micheál Lehane, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection & Environmental Monitoring, said,
“The EPA’s air quality monitoring carried out in 2020 has shown that there were dramatic and immediate decreases in air pollution in our urban areas due to reduced traffic volumes associated with COVID-19 restrictions. As we now start to travel more we must not lose sight of the obvious link between our journey choices and levels of traffic derived air pollutants. Pollutants from traffic have a negative impact on people’s health and our actions, as individuals, do impact the air we breathe.“

Pat Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said,
“Ireland still has issues with poor air quality due to the burning of solid fuel in our villages, towns and smaller cities. Ireland is above WHO air quality guideline values at many locations and it is imperative that we each, as individuals, make cleaner air choices when deciding how to heat our homes, as this can improve our local air quality and have associated health benefits.”

The Government has announced that new regulations on the use of solid fuels will come into force in 2022 – all coal products sold will be required to be low-smoke and all wood sold for immediate use must have a moisture content of 25 per cent or less. This is a positive step for air quality, which will need to be supported by clear communications to ensure public engagement and the best outcome for air quality and health.

The ‘ABC for Cleaner Air’ campaign, launched by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, highlights some simple steps we can all make and help reduce pollution from solid fuels. The EPA’s home heating infographic also identifies what changes people can make to home heating choices to improve air quality.

The ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2020’ report is available on the EPA website. The EPA continually monitors air quality across Ireland and provides the air quality index for health and real-time results online HERE.
Results are updated hourly on the website, and people can log on at any time to check whether the current air quality is good, fair or poor.

Further information: Niamh Hatchell/Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office: 053-91 70770 (24 hours) and media@epa.ie

Killer Covid-19 Cases Today Reach 7,103 On Irish Mainland.

The Department of Health has confirmed 5,634 new cases of Covid-19, in the past 24 hours, within the Irish Republic.

There remain 684 people in our hospitals with the disease, same an increase of 16 patients based on yesterday’s figures. There are now 126 patients being treated in ICU, same up a further 1 since yesterday.

In Northern Ireland, a further 1,469 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed today, up from 1,406 on yesterday’s reported figures.

Sadly, 3 more Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today.

There are currently 378 Covid inpatients in northern hospitals, with 36 of these being treated in intensive care units (ICUs), up from 35 on yesterday.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan has warned that we should be aware that every 1000 cases of Covid-19 will lead to 20 – 25 people being placed in hospital and between 2 – 3 people requiring critical care in our ICUs. He further stated that we also should be aware that since June of this year (2021), that 1 in every 4 people who had Covid-19 and sought critical care in our hospitals, have now sadly died.

The Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann has tested positive for Covid-19.
Mr Seán Ó Feargháil received the results of his PCR test at the weekend and will now isolate at home until November 29th in accordance with laid down public health guidelines. During his absence from the Dáil, Leas-Cheann Comhairle Ms Catherine Connolly and other temporary chairpersons will take over his duties.

Minister for Education Ms Norma Foley is understood to be meeting tomorrow with senior officials from all of Ireland’s teacher educational facilities, with a view to establishing whether final-year students, latter training to be teachers, can play a greater role in supporting our schools during this current pandemic crisis.

Meanwhile, the Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (HABIC) is calling for all customers to please continue to adhere to HSE public health guidelines, as the industry enters into one of the busiest periods of the year, coming up to Christmas.

The German Health Minister Herr Jens Spahn has urged citizens to get vaccinated. Herr Spahn, in blaming the contagious Delta variant; stated that probably by the end of this winter, pretty much everyone in Germany will be either “vaccinated, cured or dead”. His warning comes as Germany attempts to contain a record rise in coronavirus infections over recent weeks, with like Ireland, their hospitals sounding alarm bells due to their swollen intensive care units.

Prime Minister Ms Jacinda Ardern has stated that New Zealand will adopt a new system of living with the coronavirus from December 3rd, which will end tough restrictions and allow businesses to operate in its biggest city Auckland, which has been in lock-down for over 90 days.

Continue to listen to science and do continue to keep yourself and your family safe by regularly washing your hands; wearing a mask when appropriate and cutting down on your social contacts.

Killer Covid-19 Cases On Irish Mainland Today Reach 5,587.

The Department of Health has confirmed 4,181 new cases of Covid-19 in the Irish Republic, within the past 24 hours.

There remain 668 patients in the Republic’s hospitals affected with the virus, same figure up 28 on the same time yesterday and of these, 125 patients are being treated in various hospital ICUs, an increase of a further 4 in number, on yesterday’s reported figures.

In Northern Ireland a further 1,406 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed today, down from 1,846 on yesterday’s figures.

Sadly, 7 further Covid-19-related deaths have also been confirmed in Northern Ireland today; bringing the total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic is 2,840.

Here in the Irish Republic, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has once again issued a fresh appeal to the Irish public to take the necessary actions to help reduce the level of transmission in the country.
He has repeatedly urged the public to take the following five actions: –

If you have symptoms of a cold or flu, isolate immediately and get a PCR test, not an Antigen test
Strictly, prioritise who you need to meet.
Meet others outdoors and open windows when indoors
Wear a mask.
Use the right test and understand what the test result means.

He also reiterated that people with symptoms should not rely on Antigen tests, but instead should immediately book a ‘polymerase chain reaction‘ (PCR) test, before immediately isolating.

How do you reserve a PCR test for Covid-19 Virus?

We watched with great amusement “The Week In Politics” programme (RTE 1) this afternoon, as opposition politicians anxious for power, continuing to attempt to sound intelligent, showing themselves more interested in criticising current government pandemic efforts, rather than attempting to find solutions to our serious pandemic woes; while also misleading the public.

Getting a PCR test couldn’t be easier. You can get a free PCR test in two ways: –

1. Ring your GP and get them to refer you for a Covid test.
OR
2. Refer yourself through the dedicated HSE website, [SEE LINK HERE].

To book your own PCR test online, simply follow the above stated link; select your county; preferred test location and time; enter your name, date of birth, telephone number, and a six digit code will be sent to your phone to verify that you entered the correct telephone number.
Here, in Co. Tipperary, there are two test centres, one in Nenagh and one in Clonmel. Both test centres are drive-through, so you don’t even have to get out of your car and thus remain, for the most part, in your own safety bubble.

On arrival, you’ll be asked to confirm your details and then a tester will quickly swab your throat and the inside of your nose. The whole experience lasts only a couple of minutes and for the benefit of whinging, Sinn Féin’s Ms Louise O’ Reilly, (Minister for Nothing), in Dublin Fingal, you even get a free box of 50 disposable masks.
Testers are patient and friendly and happy to answer any questions you may have. You’ll get your results in 24-48 hours via a text message to your personal phone and you’ll have peace of mind that you have had an accurate test result.

Depending on your circumstances you may need a second PCR test to confirm you are not infected with Covid-19.
For information on what to do while you are awaiting a PCR test result, it’s worth consulting your GP and the latest HSE HPSC quick isolation guides.

For children and adults aged 13 years and over, – CLICK HERE.
For children aged 13 years and under, – CLICK HERE.

Continue to listen to science – Not to Teachtaí Dála who are unqualified, nest feathering members of the Labour Party, Sinn Féin, Independent & other minor opposition parties.

Dunnes Stores Recall ‘Sleep & Grow’ Baby Sleeping Bags, On Safety Grounds

Dunnes Stores, latter who have one of their popular retail outlet here in Thurles, have recalled a baby sleeping bag over fears it could be a suffocation risk.

Parents are been warned to stop using “The Unicorn Sleep & Grow Baby Sleep Bag” 2.5 Tog, serial number 5099011588787, and return same immediately, for a full refund of retail cost.

Included in this recall are approximately 4,500 sleeping bags, sold between August 2020 and May 2021.

We understand the opening in the neck of this Sleep Bag product, could pose a suffocation risk to small children.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) have warned that customers stop using this product with immediate effect, and return same to their local Dunnes Stores outlet.

Consumers are also invited to contact Dunnes Stores customer service with any further queries, at customerservice@dunnesstores.com. Tel No: (01)902 0309.

Killer Covid-19 Cases Reach 7,805 On Irish Mainland.

The Department of Health has confirmed 5,959 new cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours here in the republic Of Ireland.

There remain 640 patients in our hospitals with the virus, down a mere 3 on the same figures reported yesterday, and of these, 121 people are being treated in intensive care units around the country, up 3 additional cases on yesterdays reported numbers.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has stated that the current case level is unsustainable, while Dr Ronan Glynn has cautioned that the next few weeks will be difficult for everybody.

An Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has called on people to use their common sense when it came to socialising, however unfortunately ‘sense’ is not all that ‘common’ it seems here in Thurles as shop keepers report that they find themselves asking individuals to “wear a mask of leave”. The usual reply is “I don’t need to wear a mask, but if you insist I will” before a mask is produced. Mr Micheál Martin has also previously warned that “personal responsibility” would be a key factor in dealing with Covid over the months to come.

Speaking recently on CNN News an Tánaiste Mr Leo Varadkar confirmed that 5% of the population remains unvaccinated. He said that our current situation is difficult, and as as a nation Ireland is crestfallen and heartbroken to find itself back into this increasing pandemic situation. He added that the 5% who are not vaccinated are causing a lot of the trouble, given that about half of people in ICU are identified as not fully vaccinated.

Sadly, of 476 patients accepted into intensive care between late June and November 2021, some 95 of these patients still remain in intensive care beds.

As of yesterday, the total number of booster immunisations within the Republic stood at 516,820, with the figure broken down as 452,999 booster doses for the general population and 63,821 extra doses for the immunocompromised.

Severe strains placed on our public health system will see a significant reduction in planned surgeries at many larger hospitals with immediate effect. To this end, the HSE are asking larger hospitals to identify how many additional surge capacity ICU beds could be created over the coming weeks.

In Northern Ireland, there are a further 1,846 positive cases confirmed in northern hospitals, with sadly 6 further deaths reported over the last 24 hours.

People need to prepare for a number of different eventualities, as it is almost impossible to pinpoint exactly how bad the Covid-19 situation will get, in the weeks ahead.

As frequently stated, a PCR test is the most accurate way to test for Covid-19.