Tag Archives: Covid-19

A SCATHING attack has been launched on Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil by Clare’s Independent TD, who is accusing them of using Coronavirus concerns as a cover for a potential coalition government. Senior figures in both parties have this week stepped up talks on government formation, with care-taker Taoiseach Leo Varadkar citing “a dramatic change in context” because of Covid 19. Deputy Michael McNamara is one of a number of deputies, including Fianna Fáil’s own Éamon Ó Cuiv, who has called instead for a type of grand coalition involving most or all of the major parties, with a view to addressing the public health emergency. “I would be prepared to support a national coalition government which might be in place for a limited period, in order to address the threat posed by Coronavirus. That doesn’t look likely, unfortunately. What we have instead is a rather cynical move the FF and FG to use the fact that this horrible virus is …

 UL Hospitals Group is extending until March 29 the visiting ban in place across all their hospital sites, in line with the Government decision to close all schools, colleges and childcare facilities. “We regret that so many people have been unable to visit their loved ones in hospital, and we acknowledge the impact of loneliness and isolation on people in our care at this time, particularly elderly people. “We have drop-off & collection services available to help people get important personal items to and from their relatives in hospital. Security staff at University Hospital Limerick and reception staff at Croom, Nenagh, Ennis, and St John’s Hospitals will be happy to assist with queries about this service,” a spokesperson for UL Hospitals Group said. The only exceptions to the visitor ban are as follows (with a strict limit of one visitor per patient): partners of women attending University Maternity Hospital Limerick parents visiting children in hospital people visiting patients at end-of-life …

Following the Government’s announcement of new measures to minimise the spread of COVID-19, Clare County Council has confirmed that local authority offices, cultural facilities, and sports and recreation buildings will be closed to the public until March 29. However, Clare County Council’s Digital Hubs in Kilrush, Ennistymon, Feakle and Miltown Malbay will remain open to users. Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said, “The Local Authority is taking actions we believe are appropriate to minimise the spread of the virus. Council staff will present for work to ensure a continuity of service across our key operations,” he added.  Mr. Dowling said the Local Authority’s Crisis Management Team will continue to meet on an ongoing basis as well as liaise with Government Departments and agencies across the Mid West Region.  List of closed Council-supported facilities: •    Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis •    Municipal District Offices in Shannon, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Scarriff and Shannon •     All public branch libraries •     Local Studies Centre and …

THE West County Hotel in Ennis has announced plans to suspend business for most of the rest of March. In a statement this afternoon the reasons for the move were put forward. “Following the announcement this morning by the Taoiseach and the Government and specifically the restrictions placed on gatherings of 100+ people for Indoor events, Treacys West County Conference and Leisure Hotel has taken the decision to temporarily suspend its business from midday on March 16th and will re-open for business on March 30th. “Based on the advice from state authorities and given due consideration to the impact on our business, the Hotel Management believes it prudent and in the best interests of our staff and business that we take this unprecedented step.” “We are currently engaging with all our impacted customers to advise of this decision. We wish to apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused and would encourage all our patrons to heed the advice of …

Shannondoc, the out-of-hours GP service for the Mid-West region, has reassured the public that it is service as normal as the government’s Coronavirus intervention takes effect over the coming weeks but that all patients with COVID-19 concerns must refer to the HSE. “This is an unprecedented public health issue for wider society and we all play a role in this.  Shannondoc’s part will be to keep our service going for non COVID-19 concerns, with all patients with COVID-19 concerns to contact the HSE helpline on 1850 241850 from 8am to 8pm,” Shannodoc Chairman Pat Morrissey said. “Other than that we want to stress again that Shannondoc is not a walk-in servivce but an out-of-hours service and that people should not present themselves to the teratment centre without a prior appointment.  All patients who want to present to the service must call us first on 1850 212 999 or 061 459500 and they will be clinically triaged by telephone. “It is important …

THERE is shock around Clare this afternoon as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced a range of new measures to try and halt the spread of Covid 19. In a statement in Washington today the Taoiseach said that schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close, while he advised that indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 be cancelled. Explaining how serious the situation is, the Taoiseach said, “Yesterday, the World Health Organisation formally described it as pandemic and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) updated it guidelines advising us all to act early to be effective. “Our own National Public Health Emergency Team met last night and has issued new advice to Government. We are acting on that advice today.” “There will be many more cases. “More people will get sick and unfortunately, we must face the tragic reality that some people will die. “The virus is all over the …

AN EAST Clare man who is a prominent health campaigner and terminal cancer patient is appealing for people to consider the vulnerability of those who are immunocompromised and at high risk from complications of Covid 19. John Wall from Quin said the responsibility to curb the spread of the Coronavirus lies with everyone in the community, and that those who are healthy and likely to only experience mild symptoms, should remember others whose lives are at risk from the illness. Mr Wall, who has terminal prostate cancer and has been actively working with the Health Minister to cut down on red tape for those accessing terminal illness medical cards, also said he believes the care-taker government should remain in place and government formation put on ice until the Covid 19 crisis is under control. He said that he and others coping with terminal illness would advocate as strongly as possible on the issue, in the interests of public health. “I …

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed of three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland: One case, a female, in the West of the country is associated with close contact with a confirmed case.  A second case, a female, in the south of Ireland, a healthcare worker is associated with close contact with a confirmed case.  A third case, a female, is associated with close contact with a confirmed case. There are now 24 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.