Tag Archives: Covid-19

AS visiting restrictions remain in place at the country’s nursing homes, staff at St Theresa’s in Kilrush pulled out all the stops to lift the spirits of residents and staff with a musical celebration of Easter. On the Tuesday of Easter Week, residents went to their windows to hear the music of the hugely popular Patrick Roche, and watch the dancing of Tadhg and Saidhbh Moroney, the son and daughter of the Director of Nursing, who were able to perform outdoors in the fine weather. “Patrick’s mum is one of our residents,” explained Yvonne Moroney. “His band is so popular and we were delighted that he was able to come and play for us. There was huge excitement and his performance cheered everyone up so much.” Tadhg and Saidhbh, aged 9 and 8 respectively, attend the Michael Donnellan School of Dancing in Ennis and, in normal circumstances, would be popular visitors at St Theresa’s. “Before the restrictions, they would have …

A further 28 people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died in Ireland while the number of positive cases in Clare is on the increase, up by 22 to a total of 187. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said the additional 28 deaths brings to 794 the number of laboratory confirmed Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of 1pm this Thursday afternoon, the HPSC has been notified of 936 new confirmed cases. There is now a total of 17,607 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country. The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. Today’s data from the HPSC, (as of midnight April 21) reveals that of the 16,439 cases: * 56% are female and 43% are male * the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years * 2,424 cases (15%) have been hospitalised * Of those hospitalised, 331 cases have been admitted to ICU …

CARERS impacted by Covid-19 restrictions are struggling with a lack of respite and home support visits, but keeping their spirits up through check-in phone calls, virtual quizzes and even Zoom bingo. While home care continues to be provided, many carers have chosen to cocoon alongside their loved ones, and paused their services voluntarily. The restrictions have also placed a big burden on charities providing support to family carers, as they have meant key fund-raising activities have been curtailed. “We are still 100% open and taking new cases, but our home visits are limited,” explained Margaret Naughton, from Ennis, who works with Jack and Jill, a home nursing care service for children. “At this stage, the only visits we make would be for end-of-life and palliative care.” The Specialist Children’s Liaison Nurse works with 30 families across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary, and said her daily contact are, for the most part, made by phone. “They’re not always easy calls, and …

A YOUNG Whitegate woman is determined to show her support for East Clare’s older citizens during the lock-down, by pledging to run 100km before May 5. Through her challenge, Anna Madden, who lives in Galway City, has raised over €3,000 to-date for Raheen Community Hospital. The 28-year-old is meeting her goal, while sticking to public health guidelines of exercising within a 2km radius of home, and undertook the fundraising challenge after fearing that the Community Hospital was being forgotten about in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. “I found it a bit upsetting and sad to find that nothing was being done by way of fundraising,” said Anna. “All of the focus at the moment seems to be on the big hospitals and their facilities. My mum works at Raheen Community Hospital and almost everyone in Whitegate area has some kind of connection. They do such wonderful work and there’s an amazing atmosphere there.” Anna admits that her fundraising ambitions …

THE world famous Spancilhill Horse Fair has been cancelled for the second time ever in its 400-year history. Restrictions associated with Covid-19 have prompted organisers to make the decision, even before the revised government guidelines banning large gatherings until the end of August. They said they still maintain hope that the fair can run in 2021 to celebrate four centuries of horse-trading and equestrian competition since the event received its royal charter from King Charles in 1621. The fair, which had been due to take place on Tuesday, June 23, would simply not have been possible given the risk of Coronavirus transmissions said Chairperson Brian Clune. “It was inevitable and I suppose that given the risk to public health, it’s just one of those things,” he said. “The last time it was called off was in 2001 and that was because of the Foot and Mouth crisis.” Mr Clune said that because of the famous nature of the date of …

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that a further 49 people diagnosed with Covid-19 in Ireland have died, bringing the number of deaths in the country to 769. One new case has been diagnosed in Clare. The total number of positive cases for the virus in the county now stands at 165. There were a total of 631 new confirmed cases of Covid-19. There is now a total of 16,671 confirmed cases of the virus 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. Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Monday 20th April (15,871 cases), reveals: * 56% are female and 44% are male * the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years * 2,387 cases (15%) have been hospitalised * Of those hospitalised, 322 cases have been admitted to ICU * 4,393 cases are associated with healthcare workers …

While over 16,000 people nationwide have tested positive for Covid-19, over half of those diagnosed with the virus have recovered while 856 people have been discharged from hospital settings. In Clare, the number of positive cases continues to increase and there are now 164 people in the county who have tested positive, up four from the previous tally announced on Sunday night. Forty four more deaths have been recorded bringing the total number of positive cases in Ireland to 16, 040. Of that tally, 8,377 patients have fully recovered from the virus. An additional 856 people have been discharged from hospital settings. Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan said of the recovery rate doesn’t surprised them. “It is giving us a picture which is broadly similar to what our expectation has been,” he noted. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said of the 44 deaths, 37 were in the east of the country, three in the south, two in the …

THE use of remote consulting has become more important for Clare’s family doctors during the current Covid-19 pandemic. While remote consulting will not work for every patient, Doctor Michael Kelleher has acknowledged it is very beneficial to be able to see a patient on video and establish whether they are unwell and discuss their concerns. “Covid-19 has forced doctors to use remote consulting in a way you don’t have much choice but to use it. It is a very welcome development but it has its limitations. “It is very useful in scenarios where a doctor and a patient know each other very well and where the consultation doesn’t need a hands-on examination. “It is very useful for reviewing patients you have already seen them, know them very well and have their medical record, which in most cases is electronic. “There is a big difference between a doctor dealing with a patient he knows well remotely compared to logging on to …