Health « Thurles Information

Irish Mainland Covid-19 Cases Reach 2,528 Over Last 24 Hour Period.

The Department of Health here in the Republic of Ireland has confirmed 1,456 new cases of Covid-19, within the past 24 hours.

There are 261 people being treated for the virus in our hospitals, down 27 on yesterday. The number of people in our intensive care units currently remains at 66, down seven on yesterday’s reported figures.

Mr Paul Reid (Health Service Executive CEO) has stated that a hugely disproportionate number of unvaccinated patients are entering intensive care suffering from the virus, and he is urging people who still have NOT come forward for vaccination as yet, to do so at their earliest convenience.

In a positive move by the current Irish Government Mr Simon Harris (Minister for Further Education) has confirmed that pop-up vaccination centres will open on many college campuses later this month.

Over 7 million vaccine doses have been administered to date here in the Irish Republic; with more than 83% of people aged between 16-29 having already received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while more than 79% have currently been fully vaccinated.

In Northern Ireland, their Department of Health has confirmed a further 1,072 cases of Covid-19 within the past 24 hours. Sadly here also 6 further deaths have also been reported in people who tested positive for the disease.

Irish Mainland Covid-19 Cases Reach 2,631 Today.

The Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland has confirmed a further 1,392 new cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours.

The number of people in our hospitals with the virus now stands at 288; down 2 based on yesterday’s figures. Of those hospitalised, the number of people being treated in intensive care now stands at 73 patients; up 6 on yesterday’s total.

According to Ireland’s Covid-19 Data Hub one area with the lowest Irish incidence rate is Newport, Local Electoral Area in Co Tipperary with just 25 new cases over the past 14 days, between August 31st – September 13th.
Using the same time frame, cases in the other 7 local Local Electoral Area (LEA) within Tipperary are confirmed as follows: –
Roscrea – Templemore 27; Cahir 40; Nenagh 50; Carrick on Suir 65; Thurles 67; Cashel – Tipperary 81, and Clonmel 139.

From next Monday September 20th employees within the Irish Republic will be able to attend their places of work once again, but for specific business requirements only; however, a third of employers feel their organisations are not ready for staff to return fully to the workplace.

Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, their Department of Health has confirmed a further 1,239 cases over the past 24 hours; while, sadly, a further 10 deaths have been recorded.

Covid-19 Cases Reach 2,484 Today On Irish Mainland.

The Department of Health has confirmed 1,413 new cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours here in the Republic of Ireland.

There are 290 people in our hospitals who have tested positive for the disease, down 2 since yesterday. Of these, the number receiving treatment in our intensive care units has increased by two, rising to 67 patients.

In Northern Ireland, their Department of Health have confirmed 1,071 new infections over the past 24 hours, together with, sadly, 5 further Covid-related deaths.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has recommended that the Government proceeds with its plan for a further lifting of restrictions from next Monday, Sept 20th. The requirement for children who are deemed to be close contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case to be tested and to restrict their movements may also cease as at the end of September.

Abroad.
In France, thousands of health workers have been suspended without pay for failing to get vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of a deadline this week.

In Greece, unvaccinated employees in the private and public sectors have had to be tested at their own expense once or twice a week, depending on their profession.

Vaccination continues to offer the best protection against the most severe effects of COVID-19, including hospitalisation and death.

Covid-19 Cases Number 2,771 Today On Irish Mainland.

The Department of Health has confirmed 1,181 new coronavirus cases here in the Republic of Ireland in the past 24 hours.

The number of people being treated for the virus in our hospitals is 309, some 60 of whom are in intensive care units; latter ICU figure an increase of two on yesterday’s reported number.

In Northern Ireland, their Department of Health has reported 1,590 new cases of Covid-19 over the same period, with sadly a further 7 deaths.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan has stated that he will inform TDs and Senators tomorrow that he cannot fully rule out the future possibility of the reintroduction of restrictions in the future.

He will warn elected representatives that the Delta variant of the virus will probably continue to circulate extensively over the coming months.

Vaccination continues to offer the best protection against the most severe effects of COVID-19, including hospitalisation and death.

Devils Bit Scabious, Bobby Bright Buttons or Pincushion Flower.

Its Irish name is ‘Odhrach bhallach’; its Scientific name is ‘Succisa pratensis’, but you may know it as ‘Devil’s Bit Scabious’;

Devils Bit Scabious is a tall plant with rounded purple-blue flowers that resemble a pincushion. It is a close relative of the Teasel family and like its relative, it is a rich and valuable late source of nectar and pollen for insects.

**Tortoiseshell butterflies feasting on the nectar of the *‘Devil’s Bit Scabious’* plant**.
*Picture: G.Willoughby*

As Tipperary wildflower and insect expert, Mr John Fogarty, explained to me yesterday; all butterflies love it as indeed do all bees, with same a major food-plant for so many insects, both as adults and larvae, attracted to its pincushion-like head. Indeed, this wildflower is the main larval food-plant of the now seriously threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly, latter said to prefer where the ‘Devil’s-bit scabious’ plant chooses to grow.

**Blue-violet Devil’s Bit Scabious growing on the Double Ditch, Mill Road, Thurles**, **Co. Tipperary**.
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

Blue-violet in colour, this medium sized perennial with deep green, blotchy, oval shaped leaves can be located in marshes and pastures, brightening up areas where it flowers, (in this case on the Great Famine Double Ditch, Mill Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary) from June to October. Sadly this plant can be scarce presently in areas where intensive farming in being carried out.

Mr Fogarty points out that the plant’s more common name ‘scabious’ comes from the herb’s traditional usage as a folk medicine to treat scabies, latter a rather itchy skin condition caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. Legend states that this plant, ‘Devils Bit Scabious’ got its name due to the fact that it has an abruptly truncated, short root which folklore dictates that the Devil bit off in a fit of annoyance, at the medicinal properties of this most attractive plant.

The ‘Devil’s Bit Mountain‘, north of Thurles has no bearing on the plant’s name, but it does confirm that the Devil spent an inordinate amount of time here, over the years, in and around Thurles, with some people claiming that he has actually never vacated the area; and can be seen influencing political outcomes, during years when local and general elections occur.