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FOUR patients with Covid-19 have died, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) As of midnight Thursday 6th August, the HPSC has been notified of 98 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 26,470 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.  There has now been a total of 1,772 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. Of the cases notified today; 57 are men / 38 are women 68% are under 45 years of age 67 are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case 4 cases have been identified as community transmission 35 cases are located in Kildare, 26 in Offaly, 6 in Wexford, 5 in Laois, 5 in Dublin, and 21 are spread across ten other counties (Carlow, Cavan, Donegal, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Westmeath and Wicklow). The HSE said it is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent …

IRISH Water, working in partnership with Clare County Council, is to carry out essential works on the water network on Main Street, Killaloe from Monday next (August 10). In order to facilitate these works, the contractor Shareridge Utilities intends to close the Main Street from Reddan’s Public House to the bottom of the street. These works will begin at 9.30am on Monday, August 10, and it is hoped that they will be completed shortly after lunchtime. A local diversion will be in place during this time. In a statement, Irish Water said it regretted any inconvenience that this may cause and appreciatd the community’s ongoing patience and support.

A case of Covid-19 has been identified in a person associated with Cratloe GAA Club. The club issued a statement on their Facebook page this afternoon, which outlined that the diagnosis had been confirmed. Cratloe are due to play Eire Óg in the second round of the Clare SHC on Sunday afternoon while the footballers are slated to take on Clondegad in the losers section of the Clare SFC next weekend. No statement has yet been issued by Clare GAA on the matter but it is expected an update will be issued later this (Friday) evening.

A GLOBAL bio-pharma company is expanding its operations and has decided to invest in Shannon, resulting in the creation of up to 100 new high-end jobs, Clare TD Joe Carey has confirmed. Deputy Carey said the announcement by MeiraGTx that it is to bolster its employee headcount with a new facility in Shannon is a “fantastic boost” for the local economy. He described the announcement as a “major shot in the arm” for Shannon and the entire region. “This is fantastic news for Clare and the Mid-West, particularly in light of the pandemic and the huge pressure it has brought to bear on Shannon Airport and many local industries,” the Clarecastle-based TD said. “It is also a massive vote of confidence in the area from an innovative international bio-pharma company that clearly sees the long-term benefits and potential of investing in Shannon and the Mid-West. This jobs announcement underlines the crucial importance of Shannon Airport in providing global connectivity to …

WITH Aer Lingus having lost more than €1.5 million per day since the pandemic struck, it has warned that its Shannon base is at risk. In a statement last week the former national carrier warned of major cutbacks and it sought to put some of the blame on its workers and the Irish Government. “The catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on the aviation sector has been compounded in Ireland by the implementation of the most restrictive travel policies in Europe and the failure to implement supports for the sector. Aer Lingus has also not made the required progress on the implementation of industry standard work practices with key cohorts of employees. ” In this context and given the Aer Lingus quarterly results today, significant redundancies are required across the business. The redundancies will be on a voluntary basis if possible but may be implemented compulsorily if required. Consultations are ongoing with the relevant representative bodies in this regard. Aer Lingus is …

THERE is widespread disappointment with the return of swimming bans at North and West Clare beaches. Inside the last hour, Clare County Council has re-issued a temporary prohibition on swimming at Lahinch, White Strand Miltown Malbay, Spanish Point and Kilkee. This is on the advice of the HSE, the local authority says, because of increased bacterial levels in the bathing water. A statement from the council said situation is being monitored regularly and the prohibition on swimming will remain until further notice. The risk from increased bacterial levels is a result of run-off from the catchment area after heavy rainfall. For further information, contact Clare County Council environment section on (065) 6846331 / enviroff@clarecoco.ie and visit www.beaches.ie

BATHING restrictions lifted at beach locations in West and North Clare A notice from Clare County Council has lifted the temporary prohibition on swimming that had been in place at the following locations has now been lifted: Lahinch Spanish Point White Strand Miltown Malbay Kilkee Quilty (front beach) The bathing restrictions have been lifted as a result of analysis carried out over the weekend and on the advice of the HSE. There is ongoing monitoring at beach locations in County Clare. Clare County Council advises that the safest place to swim is at lifeguarded locations. For further information, contact Clare County Council environment section on (065) 6846331 / enviroff@clarecoco.ie and visit www.beaches.ie

A SHANNON medical manufacturing company has provided an information night for schools with practical advice on Covid-19 safety measures for the return of students and staff at the end of August. To support the safe reopening of local primary schools, Zimmer Biomet Ireland hosted an information and discussion event for principals, featuring practical advice and safety resources in compliance with current Irish Government guidelines recently. Consistent with Zimmer Biomet’s focus on best practice sharing, 12 principals attended an overview slide presentation, delivered by staff, before touring the company’s Shannon manufacturing plant to see first-hand the comprehensive range of preventative measures in place. They were then briefed as to how these measures might be adapted and implemented within the school environment and provided with a Back to School COVID-19 Safety Pack, containing hand sanitiser dispensers, safety stickers, signage, gloves and disinfectant wipes. The daughter of a Zimmer Biomet employee, 11-year old, Sadhbh O’Donovan from Crusheen N.S. designed the child-friendly signage, which …