Tag Archives: Covid-19

CLARE people are being urged to continue following public health guidelines to minimise the spread of Covid-19 as acute hospitals in the region struggle to cope with the severe impact of the cyber attack on HSE information technology systems. The UL Hospitals’ Group has confirmed the number of Covid-19 positve patients admitted to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has increased from two to 14 from May 13 to May 20. While the group stressed these figures should be interpreted with a large degree of caution, their clinicians are reporting an increase in Covid-19 related activity presenting to the ED at a time when the department, and all acute hospital services, are facing massive disruption as a result of last week’s cyber attack. The group continue to follow all national guidance on Covid-19 testing and we continue to take all the necessary infection control precautions. Separate Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 pathways remain in place for all patients attending the ED. The effects of …

RESIDENTS of a Clare Direct Provision centre have been moved to Dublin following the detection of cases of Covid-19. All 36 residents have left Clare Lodge in Ennis after some of them tested positive. They have been brought to the capital where they will be accommodated in individual rooms to prevent the spread of Covid-19. According to a source, some staff members have also contracted the virus. Co-ordinator of the Clare Immigrant Support Centre Orla Ní Éilí told The Champion she is aware of the movement of the residents from the centre run by Bridgestock Care Ltd and believes this was the “correct practice” to ensure people’s safety. She said the decision to remove the residents from the centre was taken in the interests of public health. “It was decided for everybody’s sake to move everyone to a designated centre in Dublin where people will have their own rooms for the couple of weeks to get over Covid if they …

STUDENTS in Ennis are making their voices heard about the effect Covid-19 has had on their lives as part of a poetry initiative. Coláiste Muire recently awarded prizes to staff and students who had taken part in a poetry competition around the theme of Covid-19 organised by the school’s guidance counsellor Fiona Christie. She explained the endeavour was organised as part of her role in supporting the well being of students at the school. The prize giving event was held virtually as celebrations took place across the country for Poetry Day Ireland. “This cross curricular guidance counselling/wellbeing/English initiative was run across the whole school and the response was just overwhelming from both students and staff,” she said. “The aim of this was to capture the student voice around Covid, the student voice is very important. “By inviting students to pen a poem, I hoped they would share their experiences with us so that their voices could be heard. And it …

HSE issues apology following HIQA report that highlighted anti-Covid measure MID-West Community Healthcare has apologised for its failure to meet the required standards at St Joseph’s Hospital, Ennis after an inspection found residents were left months without showers during a Covid-19 outbreak. A Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspection report has revealed residents who required assistance were not allowed to have a shower during this outbreak. “Inspectors reviewed the care records and spoke with care staff. Records evidenced that there were periods of months where residents did not have a shower. “This was discussed with the nursing management who took immediate action and on day two of the inspection all residents that chose to shower were facilitated to have one,” the report stated. A statement issued by Mid-West Community Healthcare has confirmed an independent review will be undertaken into the findings of the report as the health authority continues to work with staff and the regulator towards full compliance …

PLANS are underway to transform parts of Ennis town centre to allow evening outdoor dining, with hopes that it will lead to increased footfall and an economic boost to local businesses. An application is being made by the local authority for up to €200,000 in funding from the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme announced by Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin TD and Fáilte Ireland. Ahead of a decision on the grant submission, the Ennis Municipal District has also announced plans to close roads to facilitate outdoor dining during the evening times. The roads set to be closed are Parnell Street, from Carmody Street to Woodquay Junction. Also Frances Street from the junction of Friary car park to Abbey Street, with access to the Friary car park to remain open. It is proposed that the streets will be closed from 6.30pm to 11.30pm, every night for June, July and August. Closures are further planned from 6.30pm to 11.30pm on Friday, Saturday and …

Dan Danaher speaks with nurse Carole Molyneaux who laboured at the coal face of the fight against Covid-19 AN ENNIS nurse has outlined the challenges of battling against Covid-19 at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) during the height of the second and third wave. Having worked as a senior nurse manager in a Covid-19 dedicated block, Carole Molyneaux has come full circle working to prevent the spread of the virus vaccinating patients as a clinical nurse manager in Treacy’s West County Hotel. She has completed the unenviable task of telephoning family members to inform them their loved one was dying. “We would ring people if we thought their family members were deteriorating. It is the worst call you have to make in the whole world. There is no worse call to make. There were a lot of those calls made. “It would go along the lines of ‘ I am really sorry, your dad has taken a turn for the worst, …

MORE than 10,000 vaccine doses against Covid-19 were administered in two Clare mass vaccination centres over a one-week period, according to official figures. The UL Hospitals’ Group has confirmed a total of 10,171 vaccine doses were administered between the Radisson Blu, Meelick 7,267 and Treacy’s West County, Ennis, 2,904 sites from May 2 to May 9. Up to close of business on Sunday May 9th, Group vaccinators had administered a total of 57,573 Covid-19 vaccine doses across the Mid-West. This regional total is composed of 51,777 Dose One and 5,796 Dose Two vaccinations Doses administered at the three Mid-West Vaccination Centres in the Radisson Blu, West County Ennis and Abbey Court Nenagh to that point in time, account for 69% of the overall regional total, with 39,730 doses having been delivered there. Last week, Week 18 of the programme, was the busiest to date. Between Sunday May 2nd and close of business on Saturday May 8th, 11,406 doses were delivered …

AN Ennis hair and beauty salon expects to see 200 people in its first week back trading following a relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions across the country. Monday saw the return of hairdressers and other personal services, alongside other measures including the phased reopening of retail and the resumption of religious services in churches. Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty Salon on Woodquay opened at 9.30am on Monday to welcome its first clients in months, with staff on site since 8am busily preparing to ensure everything was in place. Perspex screens, mask wearing and sanitiser is the new normal when it comes to getting a hair-cut. Bridget told The Champion, “It’s going great so far, there’s a good buzz and everybody is really happy and delighted that Ennis is opening back up again. “It’s great for everybody and next week we’ll have the retailers joining us in bringing a lot more atmosphere to the town. “Everything is by appointments only and we …