Tag Archives: Coronavirus

THIS year’s Fleadh Cheoil an Chláir has been cancelled as the Covid-19 pandemic continues. Organisers have said that the decision not to hold the much anticipated event was made “with a heavy heart” but is the right thing to do in the current circumstances. According to a spokesperson for Coiste an Chláir Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, “It is with great regret that Coiste an Chláir CCE made the decision last week to cancel Fleadh Cheoil an Chlair 2020 which was being hosted by the Lisdoonvarna/Doolin Comhaltas Branch. This decision was not made lightly and was taken over a number of weeks.” The decision comes following the announcement by the Mullingar Fleadh Executive Committee that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2020 would no longer be going ahead due to the Coronavirus pandemic, affecting not only Ireland but across the world. The Coiste an Chláir spokesperson outlined, “The proposition of hosting the Fleadh in October was rejected by the Mullingar Executive Committee as it …

SHANNON students have been reaching out to residents of a nursing home who are unable to have visitors, letting them know they are not alone during the Covid-19 crisis. More than 80 students of St Caimin’s secondary school have written letters to the residents of Carrigoran House nursing home in Newmarket-on-Fergus. Students of the school usually visit Carrigoran at Easter time, but because of restrictions surrounding the pandemic this annual event had to be cancelled. School chaplain Cora Guinnane said that the letter writing was “the next best thing” and the students at the school were delighted to get involved. Cora explained that she and another teacher saw a similar initiative being carried out at a nursing home in Cork which had been a great success. “We thought it would be a fantastic idea to do with our students. So  I put the call out to students and teachers who would like to participate and we had a fantastic response. …

CLARE’S County Dog Warden is urging dog owners to keep their pets on a lead while out walking to maintain social distancing during the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. Frankie Coote explains that friendly dogs maybe inclined to go up to people if not leashed, meaning their owners have to break social distancing to retrieve them. “It might not be the law to have certain dogs on leads, but it’s my advice at the moment. I see them in Lees Road and I’m trying to stay my distance and advise them. But a friendly dog is going to run over to children, and he won’t come back so either the children are picking him up or you have to go over to get him. In fairness I would say maybe 80% of people are keeping them on leads which is a great thing.” Meanwhile a spate of pigeon deaths in the Ennis area is believed to have been caused by an outbreak …

Five hundred additional cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed which represents the largest number of confirmed cases in a single day since the outbreak began. The total number of people with Coronavirus now stands at 6,574. The number of positive cases also increased in Clare, up by two to a total of 68. A further 28 people have died from the virus in the country, there have been a total of 263 casualties in the Republic from COVID-19 and a combined 345 on the island of Ireland. Of the 263 deaths, 72% (187 cases) died in a hospital environment. Thirty people died in intensive care units, accounting for 11% of cases and of the deaths 22 were in the east and two in the north west, sought and west. The median age of today’s reported deaths is 84 and 19 people were reported as having underlying health conditions.    On a positive note, the number of individuals contracting the virus …

Twenty one more patients who tested positive for Covid-19 have died bringing the total deaths in the country from the virus to 158, the National Public Health Emergency Team has confirmed. Of the latest deaths, 17 were in the east, two in the south and two in the west. The patients included nine females and 12 males and 12 patients were reported as having underlying health conditions. The median age of today’s reported deaths is 81. There were 390 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland as at 1pm this Sunday bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 4,994. The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said this past week has proven that the nation is working hard, together, by staying at home to flatten the curve. Today’s data also reveals that …

AMONG those cocooning during the Covid-19 crisis is retired Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, whose advice is to reconnect with those with whom we might have lost touch. The Octogenarian said he is adjusting to the lock-down better than he thought he would, and that his prayers are with people who are finding the current restrictions difficult. “I am keeping a routine and getting up early and taking some exercise,” he outlined. “I watch mass on one of the online services and I celebrate mass privately. I’ll do a couple of hours in the garden. I also find it therapeutic to write about the current situation. I’m very lucky to have a house and garden and I’m thinking about those who are under pressure at this time.” As well as reflecting on the role of the Priesthood, the retired Bishop said he’s also keeping up-to-date with some social activities: “On Wednesdays, I would normally go to the Clarecastle Men’s …

AN Ennis man living and working in New York, which has seen the largest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the US, has told The Clare Champion, “I can’t imagine life ever going back to normal.” Journalist Colm Flynn has been covering the effects the virus has had on the people of New York for a number of television companies. Just recently he presented a widely acclaimed RTÉ Nationwide special highlighting how the Irish community in New York have been helping each other through the crisis. Speaking to The Clare Champion from New York, Colm describes the atmosphere in the usually bustling metropolis as “extremely eerie”. He says he has been “overwhelmed” with the response to the Nationwide show, revealing the show almost didn’t make it onto our screens. “The situation was getting worse and worse here in New York, and back at home RTÉ of course was so focused on what was happening Ireland there wasn’t too much coverage …

The number of patients in Clare who have tested positive for coronavirus has risen to 54, up four in the past 24 hours, according to figures released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre this afternoon. Seventeen patients diagnosed with Covid-19 have also died in that time frame bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 137. Of the 17 new deaths, 15 were located in the east, one in the south and one in the west. The patients included four females and 13 males and 13 were reported as having underlying health conditions. There have now been 137 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland and the median age of the deceased is 81. There were also 331 new confirmed cases in the country and there are now 4,604 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “This week, the National Public Health Emergency Team made a range of recommendations to support …