The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
HEALTH authorities in the Mid-West have appealed to people in Clare to help maintain the low incident rate of Covid-19 and prevent future spikes in cases by being extra vigilant amid the gradual easing of restrictions.
As of this Monday, April 12, people are now permitted to meet one other household outdoors, but not in their gardens; travel is allowed within your county or within 20km of your home if crossing county boundaries; there is a full return of in-school teaching; and residential constructions, and early-learning and childcare projects can restart.
Dr Mai Mannix, Director of Public Health Mid-West, said: “While the easing of restrictions is welcome, it does mean there is a greater risk of infection if we do not apply basic Public Health guidelines. Simple measures, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, avoiding social gatherings, and washing our hands, have helped prevent serious outbreaks from occurring.
“Having low numbers means we can effectively carry out source investigation, which will allow us to swiftly identify trends that are leading to new cases and outbreaks. However, should we experience a surge in cases in the community, we do not want to be playing catch-up,” Dr Mannix said.
The HSE is also encouraging members of the public to avail of the free walk-in and drive-through Covid-19 testing centre in Limerick City, if you live within walking distance or 5km of the facility at St Joseph’s Health Campus on Mulgrave Street.
The five-bay facility, led by the National Ambulance Service and supported by HSE Community Healthcare and Public Health Mid-West, will run from 11am to 7pm until this Thursday.
No appointment is needed and it is only for those who have no symptoms. If you have symptoms, contact your GP to arrange a test. You must bring photo ID and a mobile phone number so we can contact you with your result.
Dr Mannix added: “The purpose of this initiative is to pick up cases that might otherwise go undetected in the community, and cause outbreaks at home, in workplaces, or in congregate settings. Detecting just one case could help avoid a serious and, on occasion a potentially fatal situation.”
