AS the 14-day incidence of Covid-19 continues to fall in Clare, the UL Hospitals’ Group has confirmed it has treated 1,241 confirmed cases over a one-year period.
According to figures produced by the National Disease Surveillance Centre, there were 533 cases recorded in Limerick, 167 in Clare and 306 in Tipperary from February 16 to March 1.
However, the number of Covid-19 cases in the Mid-West dropped from February 23 to March 8, with 401 cases recorded in Limerick, 215 in Tipperary and 129 in Clare.
The 14-day incidence in Limerick fell from fourth to sixth highest in the country at 205%, compared to Tipperary, which is 14th highest on 134% and Clare is the 15th highest on 108% recently.
The national 14-day incidence of the disease was 161% at the time.
One year since the first Covid-19-related admission to University Hospital Limerick, the group has confirmed 64 patients required admission to ICU over a 12-month period.
Group chief executive, Professor Colette Cowan has paid tribute to the resilience and determination shown by those who have made enormous sacrifices to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in communities.
Up to close of business on March 03rd, vaccinators from the group had delivered a total of 11,911 Dose One vaccinations and 5,171 Dose Two vaccinations.
Included in these numbers are ULHG frontline staff, as well as frontline healthcare workers in the Mid-West prioritised by their colleagues in HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, the Department of Public Health Mid-West, the National Ambulance Service and Bon Secours Hospital Limerick.
In addition, vaccinators, along with community colleagues, have been delivering the vaccine to residents and staff in residential care settings and nursing homes across the region.
On Wednesday, March 03rd, there were 25 Covid-19 positive inpatients across the sites of the group. Of these, 15 were located in University Hospital Limerick.
On the same day, there were 75 staff across the group unavailable for work due to Covid-19. This figure includes staff who have tested positive either through the workplace or community transmission; those who are close contacts of positive cases and staff who are showing symptoms and who are staying off work in line with the public health guidance in respect of the virus. Various supports are in place to maintain staff health and wellbeing at this difficult time.
The Emergency Department at UHL remains busy with both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 presentations. ED attendances at University Hospital Limerick ranged between 134 and 202 patients per day in recent times.
The group continue to manage a number of outbreaks across our sites but expect to close the majority in the coming days, 28 days having elapsed since the last positive case was detected.
Six outbreaks have been closed recently, including outbreaks at UHL and Nenagh Hospital.
Contact tracing and testing of staff and patients is ongoing in line with the national guidance, putting into effect all the appropriate infection control measures to mitigate the risk to patients and staff.
Dan Danaher
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.