Health « Thurles Information

Covid-19 Update: Fri. 14th May 2021 – 4 Deaths – 425 New Cases.

The Department of Health this evening has confirmed that there has been 4 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 4,941.

There have however been 425 new additional virus cases reported here within the Irish Republic. This leaves the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception, at 254,870.

Of the cases confirmed today, 78% of persons were under the age of 45 years.

There are 111 people with Covid-19 remaining in hospital today, and of that number 39 are in ICU’s, according to Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub.

With regards to Antigen testing, Dr. Ronan Glynn stated that of 10,000 tests available in March and April to those involved in the meat processing industry, they found 14 positives and a number of them were false. “It is not so straightforward as simply buying a couple of 100,000 tests off the shelf, and just handing them out to employees,” he further added.

The total worldwide number of virus cases identified up to 4:00pm this evening, now stands at well over 161.29 million confirmed, with global deaths at well over 3.34 million.

Please Do Continue To Behave Responsibly.

Covid-19 Update: Thur. 13th May 2021 – No Deaths – 456 New Cases.

Less than 5 new cases of killer Covid-19 virus confirmed in Co. Tipperary in past 24 hours.

The Department of Health this evening has confirmed that there has been no further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 4,937.

There have however been 456 new additional virus cases reported here within the Irish Republic. This leaves the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception, at 254,450.

In Northern Ireland there have been 99 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 1 death reported in the past 24 hours.

Of the cases confirmed today in the Irish Republic; 189 are in Dublin, 52 in Cork, 49 in Donegal, 39 in Kildare, 17 in Galway; with the remaining cases located across 20 other counties.

Of the cases confirmed today, 81% of persons were under the age of 45 years. However, the latest HSE data on Covid-19 testing in schools shows that cases have dropped by over 25% in second level schools.

There are 111 people with Covid-19 remaining in hospital today, and of that number 36 are in ICU’s, according to Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub.

There have been 135 Covid-19 cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary within the last 14 days and less than 5 new cases confirmed in the same area, within the last 24 hours. There have been 5,954 virus cases confirmed here in Co. Tipperary, since the pandemic began, same figure relevant up to and including May 11th, 2021.

Some 1,408,105 first doses of Covid-19 vaccines have now been administered here in Ireland up to May 10th, with 514,808 persons having received their second dose.

The total worldwide number of virus cases identified up to 5:00pm this evening, now stands at well over 160.56 million confirmed, with global deaths at well over 3.33 million.

Please Do Continue To Behave Responsibly.

Covid-19 Update: Wed. 12th May 2021 – 8 Deaths – 448 New Cases

Less than 5 new cases of killer Covid-19 virus confirmed in Co. Tipperary in past 24 hours.

The Department of Health this evening has confirmed that there has been 8 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 4,937.

There have however been 448 new additional virus cases reported here within the Irish Republic. This leaves the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception, at 254,013.

In Northern Ireland there have been 113 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with no deaths reported in the past 24 hours.

Of the cases confirmed today in the Irish Republic; 229 are in Dublin, 38 in Meath, 35 in Kildare, 34 in Cork, 16 in Limerick, ; with the remaining 96 cases located across 16 other counties.

Of the cases confirmed today, 78% of persons were under the age of 45 years. However, the latest HSE data on Covid-19 testing in schools shows that cases have dropped by over 25% in second level schools.

There are 109 people with Covid-19 remaining in hospital today, and of that number 34 are in ICU’s, according to Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub.

There have been 157 Covid-19 cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary within the last 14 days and less than 5 new cases confirmed in the same area, within the last 24 hours. There have been 5,955 virus cases confirmed here in Co. Tipperary, since the pandemic began, same figure relevant up to and including May 10th, 2021.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus death toll in India has now passed 250,000 as the World Health Organization confirms the variant fuelling the surge had been found in dozens of countries across the globe.

Some 1,376,583 first doses of Covid-19 vaccines have now been administered here in Ireland up to May 10th, with 506,052 persons having received their second dose.

The total worldwide number of virus cases identified up to 5:00pm this evening, now stands at well over 159.82 million confirmed, with global deaths at well over 3.32 million.

Please Do Continue To Behave Responsibly.

Bathing Water Quality Continued To Improve In 2020.

Bathing water quality continued to improve in 2020 with 96% of bathing waters (142 of 148) meeting or exceeding the minimum required standard.
111 bathing waters were classified as excellent for 2020, up from 107 in 2019.
Bathing water quality at four beaches was classified as ‘Poor’, compared with five in 2019.
Pollution incidents, especially during heavy rainfall, can impact bathing water quality on a short-term and localised basis.
Swimmers should check the latest bathing water quality information at www.beaches.ie

**Urban domestic wastewater system allowed to run non-stop into the River Suir, on the south west bank, close to the ‘New Foot Bridge’ area, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Picture G.Willoughby*.

The EPA has today published the ‘Bathing Water in Ireland’ report for 2020, which sets out the quality of bathing water at our beaches. Overall, bathing water quality improved across the country in 2020. However, the report highlights that water quality can change quickly in the short term, especially during rainfall events which can wash pollution into our bathing waters. Swimmers should always check www.beaches.ie for the most up to date water quality information for their local bathing site.

Commenting on the report, EPA Director Dr. Eimear Cotter said: “The continued improvement in bathing water quality is welcome. It is also positive to see two new beaches being identified in 2020, and to see improvements at two beaches that had poor water quality previously. Good quality bathing waters are important now more than ever as more people enjoy our natural amenities, and particularly swimming. With many people now swimming outside the bathing season, the EPA is calling for additional water quality monitoring at beaches where there are large numbers of year-round swimmers, and that this information is made available to the public.”

The water quality at some beaches can be impacted when pollution, from wastewater and agriculture, gets washed in following heavy rainfall. Swimmers are encouraged to check www.beaches.ie for the most up to date water quality information. Local authorities and Irish Water must continue to address sources of water pollution which impact some of our beaches to ensure that public health is protected.

In summary the key findings of the Bathing Water in Ireland report for 2020 were:

96% of bathing waters (142 of 148) met or exceeded the minimum required standard. This is up from 95 per cent in 2019.
111 (75%) bathing waters were classified as ‘Excellent’, up from 107 in 2019
4 bathing waters were classified as ‘Poor’, down from 5 in 2019. Local Authority management plans have been put in place to address the sources of pollution.
The bathing waters classified as ‘Poor’ were:
Clifden Beach, Co. Galway
Lilliput – Lough Ennell, Co. Westmeath
Cúas Crom, Co. Kerry
Balbriggan – Front Strand Beach, Co. Dublin
Clifden Beach has been classified as ‘Poor’ for five years in a row and must now be declassified as a bathing water for 2021.
Galway Co. Co. and Fingal Co. Co. have taken actions to improve bathing water quality at two bathing waters that were ‘Poor’ in 2019:
Ballyloughane Beach, Co. Galway improved from ‘Poor’ to ‘Sufficient’
Portrane (the Brook) Beach, Co. Dublin improved from ‘Poor’ to ‘Good’
Two new bathing waters were identified in 2020 and will be classified for the first time following the 2021 season. They were Carrigaholt and Quilty, both in Co. Clare:
57 pollution incidents were reported to EPA during 2020. Incidents have the potential to cause a pollution risk and when they occur, swimming restrictions are applied at the beach until sampling shows the water quality is safe.
The most common cause of pollution incidents in 2020 was discharges from urban wastewater systems. Irish Water needs to make improvements in the operation and management of urban wastewater treatment plants and networks, where these impact on bathing waters.
Local authorities also put up 135 ‘Prior Warning’ notices at beaches in 2020, to warn swimmers that short-term pollution (lasting no more than a few days) may occur due to heavy rainfall. These warnings are removed when sampling shows the water quality is safe.

Throughout this summer water quality information and details of any incidents affecting bathing waters will be displayed on the www.beaches.ie website. The EPA reminds anyone using or swimming at beaches this year to follow the public health advice hse.ie/coronavirus/ and any local information in relation to the COVID 19 pandemic.

The ‘Bathing Waters in Ireland’ 2020 report, infographic and a map of the quality of Ireland’s Bathing water sites in 2020 are available on the EPA website, (all links to be updated).
Further information on bathing water and updates on monitoring results during the bathing water season (1st June to 15th September) is available at www.beaches.ie.

Covid-19 Update: Tue. 11th May 2021 – 9 Deaths – 379 New Cases

6 new cases of killer Covid-19 virus confirmed in Co. Tipperary in past 24 hours.

The Department of Health this evening has confirmed that there has been 9 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 4,929.

There have however been 379 new additional virus cases reported here within the Irish Republic. This leaves the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception, at 253,567.

In Northern Ireland there have been 89 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 1 death reported in the past 24 hours.

Of the cases confirmed today in the Irish Republic; 171 are in Dublin, 27 in Donegal, 28 in Kildare, 24 in Limerick, 22 in Cork; with the remaining 107 cases located across 18 other counties.

Of the cases confirmed today, 77% of persons were under the age of 45 years.

Ms Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the coronavirus variant first identified in India last year is being classified as a variant of some global concern. Preliminary studies show that it can spreads more easily.
The B.1.617 variant is now the 4th variant to be designated as being of global concern and in the future will require close tracking and analysis.

There are 117 people with Covid-19 remaining in hospital today, and of that number 34 are in ICU’s, according to Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub.

There have been 168 Covid-19 cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary within the last 14 days and 6 new cases confirmed in the same area, within the last 24 hours. There have been 5,947 virus cases confirmed here in Co. Tipperary, since the pandemic began, same figure relevant up to and including May 9th, 2021.

Some 1,347,561 first doses of Covid-19 vaccines have now been administered here in Ireland up to May 5th, with 501,186 persons having received their second dose.

The total worldwide number of virus cases identified up to 5:00pm this evening, now stands at well over 159.07 million confirmed, with global deaths at well over 3.30 million.

Please Do Continue To Behave Responsibly.