Tag Archives: Covid-19

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has been notified of 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Clare’s figure of 369 has not increased in the latest figures. There have been no new deaths reported (HPSC) today. There has been a total of 1,746 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. There is now a total of 25,670 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.  The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. As of midnight on Monday, 523,277 tests have been carried out. Over the past week, 49,264 tests were carried out. 157 tests were positive, giving a positivity rate of 0.3%. Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Knowing the symptoms of COVID-19 and making contact with your GP immediately is a crucial component to us identifying and containing this disease. “Symptoms associated with COVID-19 can be similar to other common ailments. I …

THERE have been no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) today (Monday) while there are also no new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Clare. The Clare total of confirmed Covid-19 cases remains at 369. There has been a total of 1,746 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight Sunday July 12, the HPSC has been notified of 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,638* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. Over the past 14 days, the total number of confirmed cases notified to the HPSC is 165. Males 41% / Females 59% Median age is 31 years old; 74% of these cases were under 45 years of age 20 counties reported new cases; Dublin 47%, Kildare 16% & Wicklow 6% 12% of these cases were travel related …

The HSE is urging the public to be vigilant in light of reports of a telephone/text scam from people claiming to be HSE contact tracing and testing staff. The fraudulent calls and text messages claim that the person has been identified as a close contact of someone who has Covid-19 and ask for money for a testing kit to be sent to them and for bank details. The HSE does not charge the public for Covid-19 related services, including testing, and such texts and calls should be ignored. Any close contacts of a confirmed positive case of Covid-19 will be contacted by phone call by the Contact Tracing Team or Public Health Staff in the HSE and referred for a test. The HSE does not charge or ask for payment for testing. If the Covid-19 Tracker App has identified you as a close contact you will see a red box with the advice on what you should do next on all …

DEPARTING Sixth Class students from Scoil Mhuire in Meelick are unlikely to forget their participation in a novel graduation ceremony recently. Teachers, staff and parents of students at Meelick National School created a farewell with a difference for their Sixth Class students who were unable to gather together due to Covid-19 restrictions. A colourful motor cavalcade drove the length and breadth of the parish and beyond to deliver personalised certificates and gifts to each of the students. The cars, adorned with colourful balloons and horns beeping, noisily made their way through the village so everyone knew they were coming. Individual drops were made to all 22 students who would normally have celebrated their graduation with a mass followed by a presentation of certificates and an evening of bowling. Instead, students were made feel really special with the unusual delivery and later that evening they joined a zoom call to hear from principal, Ms Maria O’Looney and their teacher Mr Denis …

A CALL has been made for future tourism projects for West Clare to be “Covid-proofed,” so that their viability doesn’t depend solely on large numbers of international visitors. Tabling a motion at the last meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Councillor Cillian Murphy asked that the council would undertake “a strategic review of its current Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) applications” to ensure the most appropriate ons were being pursued. The Fianna Fáil member said the move was needed “in light of the changed global circumstances, due to Covid-19, especially with regard to tourism”. “There is a huge issue now around diversifying projects like the Loop Head Lighthouse and the Vandeleur Gardens,” he said. “Those projects were designed to capitalise on the type of tourism we don’t have at the moment. They’re locked on a path to outcomes they will now struggle to achieve and nobody could have foreseen this.’ Asking for details of projects currently being assessed, Councillor …

A BRIDGETOWN technology and engineering teacher put his skills to good use during the Covid-19 lockdown by making and distributing protective about 2,400 visors for frontline staff in health care facilities and hospitals. Tom English teaches in St Clements school in Limerick. Using a 3D printer from his home, he supplied vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) free of charge when it was in extremely short supply. The visor includes a strong plastic band with a shield that drops down to protect a person’s face. The main benefit of a visor is to prevent fluid transmission between people. “I had the machinery in school and before the schools closed down and took home three of my own 3D printers. “In the first week of April, I test printed five or six different designs to see what would be suitable. There were loads of different designs available on line. “It was more a case of curiosity more than anything else. By the …

THE plight of parents who have been on lockdown caring for their children with special needs, and who would normally access the support of services like those provided by The Clare Cruaders, has been highlighted at the Special Committee on Covid-19. Chairperson of the committee, Scariff TD, Michael McNamara heard from a number of those advocating for children and families, including representatives from Inclusion Ireland, who outlined in detail the strains put on households and the regression experienced while services were closed. While the Department of Education and Skills has initiated an expanded summer programme, known as July provision, there are concerns about the children who will be excluded on the basis of their disabilities. Enda Egan, CEO of Inclusion Ireland told the committee, “The scheme continues to exclude cohorts of children with disabilities and has been characterised by poor planning, leaving schools and families frustrated and in the dark.” He also urged that the scheme be opened to “all children with …

PUBLICANS around County Clare were compliant with the latest Covid-19 regulations when gardaí carried out spot-checks last weekend. All the pubs were serving meals and social distancing was being observed by customers, according to a local senior garda. Gardaí initiated Operation Navigation on Friday evening last, amid concern that some establishments are flouting regulations designed to suppress Covid-19. Bars which serve a meal costing at least €9 with drink could open their doors on June 29, as socialising restrictions eased. Pubs that do not operate a restaurant-style service must remain closed until Phase 4 of the roadmap begins on July 20. “We had an extensive round of inspections in all areas of the Clare Garda Division – town and villages – and all was in order. All Garda patrols were involved,” said Superintendent Brendan McDonagh. He added that anecdotal accounts of only a few meals being served where a large quantity of drink was being consumed hadn’t been found during …