Health « Thurles Information

University Limerick Hospitals Group Ban Visitors

All elective surgeries and outpatient appointments at the six hospitals in the University of Limerick Hospital’s Group, serving counties North Tipperary, Clare and Limerick, have been cancelled for next Monday and Tuesday, (March 2nd & 3rd) as a direct result of the confirmed Covid-19 virus case.

These affected health facilities include; University Hospital Limerick; University Maternity Hospital Limerick; Nenagh Hospital, (latter 3 directly serving North Tipperary); Ennis Hospital; St. John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital.

The announced restrictions; which include a ban on visitors, are now in place at all six named health facilities and are deemed necessary in the interests of patient safety, in the context of the current public coronavirus confirmed health emergency.

There are, however, a limited number of exemptions to these cancellation announcements. These include patients attending for chemotherapy; kidney dialysis and expectant mothers due for elective caesarean sections.

Following a three-hour deep clean of UHL on Wednesday night last; a ‘Helpline’ has now been setup to provide further information and support to persons in counties; North Tipperary; Limerick; and Clare, especially to assist those who may have come into casual or close contact with a now confirmed case already identified in the mid-west region.

Helpline Telephone Number – 1890 300 046.

South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel

All infection control measures are also in place to manage and contain the spread of this virus at South Tipperary General; latter serving the south of the county.

Visitors including children, are now being restricted since last night, in the facilities efforts to reduce any possible spread of coronavirus.

Visiting however will be allowed in exceptional circumstances; as in the visiting of critically ill patient; partners visiting maternity patients; or children in attendance in their paediatric unit.

Outpatient appointments at South Tipperary General Hospital will continue as normal.

Identified Coronavirus Patient Worked A Shift In Hospital A&E

A parent, latter a healthcare professional residing in the west of Ireland diagnosed yesterday with coronavirus, completed a shift, working in a hospital A&E, having returned from Italy.

In all, four persons [Two parents and a son and daughter] from the west of Ireland tested positive yesterday for the virus.

The HSE are currently attempting to trace / contact any patients who may have been in close contact with the infected male adult; in the as yet unnamed hospital. The infected family themselves are now quarantined in an unnamed hospital in the west of Ireland.

Two schools; a secondary school and a national school, attended by these infected children, have been closed today, following this family’s diagnosis, with hundreds of pupils told to stay at home for two weeks.

Parents were contacted by text to alert them to the closure. This follows a risk assessment by the health staff on the potential exposure to other children, parents and patients from the virus.

UPDATE: The unnamed hospital is understood to be the constantly overcrowded Limerick University Hospital, serving patients from North Tipperary.

Awards & Enrolment Night For Thurles Order Of Malta Cadets

Order of Malta, Thurles Cadets Enrolment & Awards night

Mr Thomas Bourke (Cadet Leader Thurles Order of Malta) reports:-

**Pictured Back Row (L-R)**: Thomas Bourke, Kaitlyn Ryan, Bill O’Dwyer, Mark Drohan, Jack Ryan, Dennis Jordan.
**Pictured Front Row (L-R)**: Jaela Burke, Dayle O’Dwyer, Aaron Maxwell, Abigaile Hayes, Greg Drohan, Jayden Cronin, Faith Butler.

The Thurles Order of Malta Cadet Unit held their Annual Awards & Enrolment night on Friday 28th February 2020 last.

Ten new cadets received their Basic First Aid certificates and were officially enrolled into the Thurles Cadet Unit.

Existing cadets received certificates and badges in recognition of their achievements throughout the year and their years of service to the Order of Malta.

Training is now fully underway for competitions, same which will take place in April of this year.

First Case Of Covid-19 Identified In Northern Ireland

The first case of Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been identified in Northern Ireland. This news was further confirmed during a briefing by Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency earlier this evening.

We understand that the patient is receiving specialist care and the agency says they are working rapidly to identify those persons who may have come into contacts with the identified patient, latter who had visited northern Italy before travelling home to Northern Ireland through Dublin airport.

The patient is now in isolation at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

The Public Health Agency would not comment further on whether the patient used public transport in their effort to travel from Dublin to Northern Ireland.

The Public Health Agency is liaising with public health bodies in the Republic in an attempt to identify persons who may have come into close contact with this patient. Staff will work closely with health colleagues here in the Republic to identify others who may potentially be at risk.

Covid-19 – Chief Medical Officer’s Advice To Parents

The Chief Medical Officer from the Department of Health, Dr Tony Holohan, has issued the following letter to parents of school children travelling from affected regions.

The Department of Education and Skills has updated information for schools, preschools and third level institutions on Covid-19; provided by the Department of Health and HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre, following a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team.

Public health doctors are available to liaise with schools and advise on precautions if staff and / or students have any concerns.

Anyone who has visited affected regions in the last 14 days and has a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or fever should self-isolate and phone their GP immediately.

Anyone who has travelled from the affected regions and has no symptoms should visit HERE for further advice.

The most important action we can take to protect ourselves from Covid-19 is regular hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene.

As further advice or information is provided, it will be issued to schools and posted on the Department’s website.

Travel advice for all Irish citizens is provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.