Health « Thurles Information

Covid-19 Update: Thur. 3rd Sept. 2020 – No New Deaths – 95 New Cases

Two New cases of Covid-19 in County Tipperary

This evening, figures from the Department of Health confirm that there has been zero new deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll here in the Republic of Ireland remaining at 1,777.

However, there are 95 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 29,206.

Of these new cases, 52 are men and 43 are women, with 67% under 45 years of age.

We understand that 51 of the new cases identified today are in Dublin (13,535 in total); 6 in both Kildare (2,274 in total) and Meath (905 in total); while the remaining 32 cases are located across counties Tipperary (Latter county with 716 confirmed cases todate); Carlow; Clare; Cork; Kerry; Kilkenny; Laois; Limerick; Longford; Louth; Mayo; Offaly; Waterford; Westmeath; Wexford and Wicklow.

Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has stated today that around 25% of people who have been scheduled for Covid-19 testing, have failed to show up.

This statement comes, as the Health Service Executive (HSE) is to start recruiting more community ‘swabbers’ for Covid-19 virus, through an online application process starting from Monday. Several hundred people are being sought for this role, which will include part time work and will be available over seven days. The HSE confirm that these new appointments will now allow redeployed clinical staff to return to their previous work.

Other Covid-19 News.
An Oireachtas staff member has lobbied to have the Dáil Bar serve drinks to TDs and senators, without the need for the substantial €9 meal.

While 3,500 ‘wet pubs’ in our republic have been forced to remain closed since last March, due to having no planning permission to enable them to serve food, these revelations now come at a time when seething anger is being expressed over “Golfgate”. You will be aware that a Cabinet Minister and an EU Commissioner were both sacked (asked to resign their posts) for being at the latter event in breach of COVID-19 rules.
The Dáil Bar should now be totally eradicated and deemed “unfit for purpose”.

Please do stay safe by reducing social contacts; avoiding crowds; physically distancing; while wearing face coverings and washing your hands regularly.

Covid-19 Update: Wed. 2nd Sept. 2020 – One New Death – 89 New Cases

No new cases of Covid-19 in County Tipperary

This evening, figures from the Department of Health confirm that there has been sadly 1 new death caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll here in the Republic of Ireland remaining at 1,777, as one previously confirmed case is de-notified.

However, there are 89 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 29,114.

In Northern Ireland, 71 more cases have been confirmed with sadly two deaths in the past 24 hours. This takes their official death toll there to 562 with 7,436 cases in total confirmed.

Of today’s cases; 53 were in Dublin; 15 in Limerick; with the remaining 21 cases spread over Clare; Cork; Kildare; Kilkenny; Laois; Leitrim; Longford; Meath; Offaly; Waterford; Westmeath; Wexford, and Wicklow.

Meanwhile, Mr Paul Reid (Health Service Executive CEO) has stated that this coming winter will be more difficult than ever before, as it attempts to manage the Covid-19 virus; while at the same time, scaling up services that have been stalled over the past 6 months, due to the pandemic.

He further said he expects that the nasal spray vaccination for children, from ages 2-12 years, will be available free-of-charge from October 2020. He also stated that he hoped to see a greater uptake of the flu vaccine in healthcare workers.

In other Covid-19 news, there have been a further 21 potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations in relation to licensed premises uncovered; the latest Operation Navigation report has revealed.

This brings to 185 the cumulative total number of pubs suspected of non-compliance. The latest inspections were carried out between Monday 24th August and Sunday 30th August, according to a statement by An Garda Síochána. Files will be prepared for the DPP in each of these non-compliant cases.

Please do stay safe by reducing social contacts;
avoiding crowds; physically distancing; wearing face coverings and washing your hands regularly.

Irish Dept. Agric. Issue Alert On Threat To Oak Trees.

With thousands of people taking to walking in our forests presently greatly benefiting their mental health; the Irish Department of Agriculture has issued an alert, asking that walkers be on the look out for Oak Processionary Caterpillars, latter a pest which feeds on oak tree leaves, causing significant damage.

These caterpillars travel in a nose-to-tail procession (Hence their name – ‘Oak Processionary Caterpillars’) often arrow-headed, by one leader, followed by rows of several caterpillars travelling abreast.

These black and white caterpillars are hairy and are easy to observe visually. Already one nest has been located and eradicated in a Dublin Park, traced back to a recent import of oak trees which arrived here from Belgium.

Oak trees and plants remain a host for this pest, however, same are unlikely to be found on any other of our tree other than the oak.

Concerns now are that this caterpillar will moult into a moth, before then flying unto other host oak trees, to lay their eggs producing the next generation.

It should be noted that these caterpillars are also a human irritant, because of their venomous setae (hairs), which can cause skin irritation and asthma. To this end they should not be touched under any circumstances and any suspected sightings should be notified immediately by emailing plantandpests@agriculture.gov.ie

Why people are importing oak trees from Belgium into Ireland of all places; I totally fail to understand?

Covid-19 Update: Tue. 1st Sept. 2020 – Zero New Deaths – 217 New Cases

County Tipperary Confirmed with 17 new Covid-19 cases.

This evening, figures from the Department of Health confirm that there have been zero new deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll here in the Republic of Ireland remaining at 1,777.

However, there are 217 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 29,025.

Of the 217 new cases notified today, 103 are men and 113 are women. 70% of these affected are under 45 years of age.

Seventeen of todays cases are in Co. Tipperary, with 103 in Dublin; 25 in Kildare; 17 in Limerick; 7 in Waterford; 7 in Wicklow; 6 in Clare; 5 in Louth, with the remaining 30 cases spread across Carlow; Cavan; Cork; Donegal; Galway; Kilkenny; Meath; Monaghan; Offaly; Roscommon; Westmeath and Wexford.

Restrictions on group activities will be with us for some time, according to the chair of NPHET’s Epidemiological Modeling Advisory Group, Professor Philip Nolan. Professor Nolan has stated that such restrictions must remain necessary if we are to protect the priorities of schools, work, healthcare and sport.

Face coverings are now mandatory for everyone in certain places including on public transport and in all retail outlets.

Meanwhile: Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn has warned that the improper wearing of face coverings could actually increase the risk of contacting Covid-19.
Dr Glynn stated that although the vast majority of people are wearing face coverings, when it is required to do so, some individuals are not wearing face coverings correctly.
[Do please take the time to watch the World Health Organisations video, shown above.]
While some 90% of people are wearing face coverings where appropriate, Dr. Glynn has warned that many people were wearing them under their chins or leaving their nasal areas fully exposed, thus failing to provide any protection whatsoever against Covid-19 and could be, in fact, increasing the risk of catching the virus.

Note: In the video shown above it is interesting to watch how hands are sanitised correctly, ensuring in particular that sanitiser gets under your nails, through rubbing your fingers tips in the centre of the palms of your hands. [I must admit I personally hadn’t fully grasped this concept previously.]

Please do stay safe by reducing social contacts; avoiding crowds; physically distancing;
wearing face coverings and washing your hands regularly.

Covid-19 Update: Mon. 31st Aug. 2020 – Zero New Deaths – 53 New Cases

This evening, figures from the Department of Health confirm that there have been zero new deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll here in the Republic of Ireland remaining at 1,777.

However, there are 53 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 28,813.

There have been 2,741 confirmed clusters in total within the state, with the department being notified of 154 new clusters in the week up until the 29th August. Some 72% of cases were in people under 45-years-old.

As of 8:00pm Saturday night last, there were 33 people in public hospitals with confirmed Covid-19, and 70 with suspected cases. Five patients with the virus and 14 suspected cases were in Intensive Care Units (ICU’s).

The chair of the Irish Medical Organisation’s GP committee Dr. Denis McCauley has said the availability of non-Covid services is a major concern, with GPs now are spending much of their day trying to access services in hospital for people; some with cancer.

Good news for Co. Kildare, as the Government has, with immediate effect, announced the lifting of specific Covid-19 restrictions in the county. This decision comes after the National Public Health Emergency Team met earlier today to review the spread of the virus in the county.

Meanwhile on the business front; Microfinance Ireland (MFI) has launched a €15m COVID-19 fund to help ‘micro-enterprises’ impacted by the Covid-19 virus pandemic to protect jobs.
The government-funded micro-business lender is offering loans of €5,000 to €25,000 to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover of less than €2m.
It is the second such programme of loans offered by MFI, following the initial Covid-19 Microfinance Loan scheme, which approved €18.6m in total loans to 683 businesses.

Please stay safe by reducing social contacts; avoiding crowds; physically distancing; wearing face coverings and washing your hands regularly.