Thurles Information

The Department of Health has been notified of 21,302 additional cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours here within the Irish Republic.

There are 884 people in hospital with the Covid-19 virus, an increase of 80 on yesterday, while 90 of these patients are in ICU, across the country down 3 on yesterday.

According to Health Service Executive CEO Mr Paul Reid, there is no indication that the Irish Republic has reached the peak of the current wave of Covid-19 cases.

The Health Products Regulatory Agency (HPRA) has received a number of reports from medical professionals and members of the public over the performance of the Genrui antigen test. The stated brand is one of the cheapest and most popular rapid antigen test brands; sold in supermarkets such as Dunnes Stores and Lidl.
Results indicated as positive when using the Genrui test are not being confirmed, when those who believed they were affected have gone for a PCR test.
Medical practitioners have confirmed that there appear to be a large proportion of ‘false positives’ with these named test kits and have warned that this could have major implications, especially now that antigen kits have taken on a greater role in the testing process here in the Republic.

Meanwhile, following a meeting between education Minister Norma Foley, public health representatives, the HSE and education stakeholders it has been accepted that a full reopening of schools will go ahead on Thursday next.

However, a World Health Organization official has stated that evidence is now emerging that the Omicron coronavirus variant is affecting the upper respiratory tract, thus causing milder symptoms than previous variants.

The HSE has confirmed that so far, around 50,300 children aged 5-11 years are now registered for Covid-19 vaccination. Just over 4,000 doses have been administered to date, amongst those children identified as a priority by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

Here in Co. Tipperary, two post Offices, in the villages of Cappawhite & Kilsheelan remain closed, caused by staff shortages, caused by the pandemic

In Northern Ireland including today, the number of positive Covid-19 cases confirmed over the past seven days was 50,627.
Today also there were 348 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals, with 31 infected patients in northern hospital intensive care units.

Today Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also, sadly, reported 15 more Covid-19-related deaths, over the past 4 days, bringing their total death number, since the start of the pandemic, to 2,995.

The USA recorded more than one million Covid-19 cases yesterday, according to data published by Johns Hopkins University, as the Omicron variant there also continues to spread rapidly in communities.

With no Covid-19 figures having been publicly announced for Northern Ireland today; the Department of Health within the Irish Republic has confirmed 23,281 further cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours. Latter figure is the highest daily figure reported since the pandemic began. The Republic’s Department of Health has warned that the true number of cases, however, is most likely to be much higher.

The unwelcome news is that the number of cases could reach 50,000 a day, but nobody knows for sure, because of the rapidity of the current surge.

Presently, there are 656 people being treated in hospital with Covid-19, down 26 on the same time yesterday, with 85 people in intensive care units with the virus, down 1 on yesterday’s reported figures.

On a more positive note; Trinity College Immunologist Professor Luke O’Neill has stated that 2022 will be the year Ireland ‘win the fight’ against COVID-19, with the first signs of the tides turning by next Spring. He has further stated that the virus should be almost gone by St Patrick’s Day, March 17th, and he hopes that life will once again return to normal within the next 12 months, as new anti-viral drugs are developed to assist in managing the virus.

While the HSE has advised people to check its website regularly, as PCR slots may become available throughout the day; healthcare workers, people with an underlying medical condition, those aged over 40 and children aged three and under, are still being advised to seek a PCR test as soon as they show possible symptoms of Covid-19 virus.

The Health Service Executive is now accepting bookings for booster vaccinations from anyone aged 16 years and over; with those who have completed their primary course of Covid-19 vaccines, eligible for a booster, starting from tomorrow.

Note: From January 8th next, children aged 5 to 11 will be offered a vaccine.

Continue to cancel plans to celebrate until later, rather than celebrate now and grieve later.