Health « Thurles Information

New Emergency Powers Granted to Gardaí Last Night

Tipperary Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry has stated that news which the Government signed into legislation last night (Tuesday April 7th) which granted emergency powers to Gardaí is very welcome, particularly in advance of Easter weekend and anticipated good weather.

Under this legislation Gardaí will retain these powers during the Covid-19 crisis, which grant them the ability to force people to return to their homes. Up to last night the Gardai could only advise people to do so.

The announcement was made on last night’s RTE ‘Prime Time’ programme by Minister for Health Mr Simon Harris, latter who declared that the legislation would be formally signed last night and that the decision had followed a meeting between himself, An Taoiseach, Garda Representatives and the Chief Medical Officer.

Gardai will continue their high-profile patrols, but now with additional powers to force people to return to their homes if they are out without a valid reason. However, Minister Harris stated that it is hoped that these powers will not need to be used.

He said that people have been responding responsibly to the public health crisis and have been following the advice given, but that now is not the time to slacken.

Deputy Lowry reiterated his recent advice to people to continue the fight against the Covid-19 virus and not to become complacent. He urged, yet again, that people follow the advice of the health experts in the days and weeks ahead, for their own sakes and for the sake of others.

Thirty Six Irish Residents Dead From Covid-19 Virus

The National Public Health Emergency Team have informed the public that a further 36 people, (17 females/19 males), all confirmed with the Covid-19 virus, have died in the 26 counties of Ireland today. This brings the overall death toll to 210 since its conception. Today’s tally also represents the largest amount of deaths reported on any previous day.

Here in the Irish Republic today, 345 more cases of the coronavirus have also been diagnosed; bringing our overall total of confirmed cases in the 26 counties to 5,709.

Sadly three of today’s deaths are located in the south; twenty seven in the east of the country, while the remaining six are in the northwest.

We learn that 24 of the 36 deceased persons, had previous underlying health conditions.

In Co. Tipperary the sum total of affected cases remains at 133.

Some 42,484 Covid-19 tests have now been carried out to date. Of the 12,271 tests undertaken in the last week, 19% of them were positive. Testing has now increased to 2,000 per day, and this testing is expected to increase to 15,000 per day into the future.

In the six counties of Northern Ireland, 3 more Covid-19 deaths have been reported today, bringing their total number of virus affected deceased persons to 73. There has been 97 new cases of Covid-19 identified in this same region today, bringing their total number of infected cases to 1,255.

Stay In Isolation – Stay Safe

Could Vitamin D Help In Battle Against Covid-19?

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin highlight significant role played by Vitamin D in preventing respiratory infections and boosting the immune system

A study just published by researchers at Trinity College Dublin highlight the significant and important role played by Vitamin D in preventing respiratory infections and boosting the immune system. Given what scientists know about the benefits of Vitamin D, the researchers go on to highlight that Vitamin D may in turn play an important role in the battle against Covid-19.

Of particular importance to those over 70 years of age is the fact that the researchers are from The Irish LongituDinal Study on Ageing, (TILDA).

In their study they conclude: “…people aged 70 and over are the fabric of our society and we must use all available tools to facilitate the reduction and transmission of COVD-19. Vitamin D is a potent immune modifying micronutrient and if vitamin D status is sufficient, it could benefit vulnerable adults in particular those 70+ years and older who are ‘cocooning’ during the COVID-19 outbreak.” [ See page 22 at the link shown HERE.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is one of the chemical compounds that we need in small amounts to stay healthy. We can get it from foods such as oily fish (e.g. salmon and mackerel), eggs, liver and cereals and milk fortified with Vitamin D. We also get it from the sun and it is made if we get 10-15 minutes per day of sun exposure.

Vitamin D Deficiency – who is at risk?

Many people in Ireland are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency particularly those whose diet lacks Vitamin D, those who smoke, those who are physically inactive and those who are obese. During winter the lack of sunshine prevents us in Ireland from making vitamin D with the help of the sun.

Rates of Vitamin Deficiency in Ireland.

The TILDA study provides data on the rates of Vitamin D deficiency in Ireland. TILDA estimate that 47% of all adults aged over 85 are deficient in winter; 27% of the over 70s are likely to be deficient, and that 13% of adults over 55 are deficient all year.

How can you prevent and treat Vitamin D Deficiency?

The editor of this article has no medical qualifications whatsoever and so if you are concerned about Vitamin D deficiency you should contact your GP. They can advise on changes to your diet and lifestyle. They may also recommend taking a Vitamin D supplement, with the TILDA report noting that to prevent a deficiency 10 ug is the minimum recommended daily amount during the winter time and between 15 -20 ug is recommended for most at risk groups.

For more information visit HERE.

STAY SAFE.

Thurles Order Of Malta – Supporting Vulnerable People

Covid-19 Response Community Outreach Supporting The Vulnerable.

Mr Gerard Fogarty, (Deputy Officer in charge – Order of Malta Ambulance Corps Thurles), sends us the following report:-

NOTE: If you are cocooning or medically selfisolating, we can help you with medication, and grocery deliveries, or essential medical transport.
Call Duty Officer on Tel: 087 2390 111.

Please stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact if you are:-

Aged 70 years.
Solid Organ Transplant recipient.
Specific cancer patient: undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer, cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of
treatment, having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer, having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors, had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.
People with severe respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and COPD.
People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.

Thurles Order of Malta
Saving Lives – Touching Lives – Changing Lives

Total Of 91 Cases Of Covid-19 In Co. Tipperary

There are now in total 91 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 virus here in Co. Tipperary.

The Department of Health have sadly confirmed that nationally tonight, in our Republic, there were 13 more deaths similarly linked.

This brings to 98 the number of people who have died from the virus here in the Republic of Ireland, with nine of the 13 deaths located in the east of of the country; while one died in the south and three in the west.

To view world-wide current Covid-19 virus statistics, see link provided HERE.

It is confirmed also that there are now 3,849 confirmed cases of the virus in the Irish Republic, with 402 new cases confirmed in the last 24 hours.

Of those confirmed cases, 932 people have been hospitalised to-date, and of those, 134 people have been admitted to various ICUs.

There have also been 6 more deaths reported today in Northern Ireland this evening; bringing their total death toll to 36.

Today’s confirmed figures, when added up, show 134 deaths and 4,623 Covid-19 cases currently existing on the whole island of Ireland.