Tag Archives: Covid-19

THE vaccination roll-out against Covid-19 have been disrupted by a setback following the cancellation of clinics in a South-East Clare Mass Vaccination Centre. The UL Hospitals’ Group confirmed earlier this week that all clinics and appointments using the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, including those at the Mid-West Vaccination Centre in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Meelick, have been deferred in line with the national guidance. This decision was taken after the national HSE temporarily deferred the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Ireland, after a request from the Chief Medical Officer, with effect from Sunday March 14th. The HSE stated on Thursday it was reviewing this deferral after a ruling from the European Medicines Agency stated the AstraZeneca vaccine is “safe and effective”.   HSE chief executive Paul Reid has pledged the agency will respond quickly to whatever decision is recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee stated on Friday evening the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine …

A SENIOR cleric has said that the nation’s mental and emotional wellbeing must receive the same level of investment and effort as the campaign to eradicate Covid-19. Parish Priest of Tulla, Fr Brendan Quinlivan, said that once the pandemic is under control, the government and public health officials must turn their attention to tackling the psychological fall-out being experienced by all generations. Fr Quinlivan, who is also the Killaloe diocesan communications officer, said that one of the biggest challenges will be dealing with unresolved grief for those who have been bereaved during the pandemic. “There are huge concerns about what the legacy of Covid-19 will be in terms of mental health and wellbeing,” he said. “We are increasingly hopeful about the roll-out of vaccines and the return to normal life, but we need to make sure that as much time, effort and investment is poured into addressing the impact of the lockdowns on so many people. Our children and young …

BISHOP of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan is appealing to the public to avoid congregating around funeral ceremonies, outside churches and at cemeteries. Bishop Monahan said that following conversations with priests and people around the Diocese in recent weeks, he had learned of serious health and safety concerns about the number of people gathering after funeral ceremonies in church and also at burial ceremonies. “Whilst it is such a positive and deeply ingrained aspect of our culture in Ireland to gather and offer condolences to the bereaved family, unfortunately due to the highly contagious nature of the coronavirus it is still not safe to do so,” he said. “While being sensitive to the needs of mourners for care and compassion at such a difficult time, many priests have expressed deep concern for the wellbeing of parishioners gathering in such a manner and I share that concern.” The Catholic bishop said that at the start of the pandemic, mourners and families have been …

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, …

Gardaí were called to disperse a group of young people who had were allegedly drinking and gathering together contrary to public health guidelines in a Clare town on Saturday night. Once gardaí arrived on the scene in Killaloe, young people fled before they could be cautioned, leaving a picnic table full of empty bottles of alcohol. A spokesman for Killaloe Gardaí confirmed there were about 20 youths when gardaí arrived in the Ballina Quay area around 7.30pm in response to complaints from members of the public. He said the young teenagers ran off in different directions and gardaí carried out further mobile patrols, which ensured there was no further incidents of this kind. While no on-the-spot fines were issued to youths following this incident, he confirmed gardaí have issued fines to people who refused to comply with public health guidelines in other parts of the county. He said gardaí normally issued fines when people refused to comply with their instructions …

NEW figures reveal that three Clare children were forced to spend Christmas Day in a refuge because of domestic abuse in their home. The data, which highlights the added pressure on the refuge operated by Clare Haven during the second lockdown last year, have been described by the service manager as “shocking”. Figures contained in the national report ‘Tracking the Shadow Pandemic – Lockdown 2,’ show that ten women and 17 children were given refuge, safety and security at Clare Haven in the month of November. A further 72 helpline calls were received to the service in that month alone, where we gave emotional support and information to women living with domestic abuse. A total of four women and 13 children were given refuge in December. Over the course of 2020, 88 women were in refuge in Clare up from the 79 in 2019 and 81 in 2018. “Even in an extraordinary time of crisis, these numbers are shocking,” said …

CLARE beef farmers look set to be hit by further decreases in the meat prices following claims by Meat Industry Ireland of increased export costs caused by Brexit. Clare Beef Plan chairman, Joe Woulfe recalled prices began to increase after Christmas with heifers in one meat plant hitting €4 per kg. At this stage farmers were beginning to hope that Teagasc’s break even figure of €4.40 per kg might be achievable. However, without warning Mr Woulfe pointed out the price collapsed by 20 cent, which has prompted fears of a return to the 2019 factory protest price of €3.65. The Quilty suckler farmer said there is an urgent need for a breakdown of what money is paid to the farmer, processor and retailer for meat. He expressed concern that retailers can reduce the price of meat to attract customers into their retail premises before stressing this shouldn’t be done at the expense of producers. He said Meat Industry Ireland need …

` DEPUTY Michael McNamara has called for an increase use of antigen testing in hospitals, schools and homes to facilitate a quicker safe exit from stringent Covid-19 restrictions next month. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy McNamara recalled the European Commission advocated greater use of antigen testing last November and this is being rolled out right across Europe. The Biden Administration has now introduced far greater use of antigen testing in America, including in homes. He claimed the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has finally moved, reluctantly, to a very “circumscribed” role for antigen testing in the context of outbreaks. “Is there a conflict of interest between being chair of NPHET and being director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, which has very large contracts with the State for PCR testing? “I am not saying there is any subjective bias on the part of that member of NPHET, but there is a clear perception there is objective bias, or a …