Tag Archives: ICU

ONLY nine extra Intensive Care beds have been provided nationally by the HSE in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, a local Dáil deputy has claimed. Speaking during Leader’s questions in the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy Michael McNamara recalled Ireland imported the idea of lockdowns from China. However, the difference is health authorities in China managed to build hospitals in 14 days in response to Covid-19. The East Clare Deputy recalled the HSE’s Capacity Census last year showed ICU capacity increased from 255 to 280 from April to December 2020. “At the end of last year, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced the government was going to increase ICU capacity to 446, of which 321 was supposed to be delivered by the end of this year. “However, to this date this year, the HSE has only provided nine extra ICU beds nationally.” He asked An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin what the government was doing to increase hospital ICU capacity. Deputy Martin recalled …

ANGER over the regular presence in Scariff of a number of people protesting about pandemic public health guidelines has prompted furious debate on social media and a rejection of the anti-mask agenda. Since the end of last year, a group of up to 10 people been gathering in the centre of the East Clare town at weekends, carrying placards with phrases including, ‘Breathe again, masks do nothing’ and ‘I am here for your freedom too’. It is understood the group operate under the name ‘Vigil for Freedom’. In recent days, The Champion has been contacted by a concerned senior citizen living locally. In a strongly-worded letter, the man said he was “angered and appalled” by the demonstrations and the “callous disregard” of those taking part. “At this time when hospitals are being overrun by the sick and dying it is just not acceptable to have this type of demonstration going on,” he said. “Doctors, nurses and other health workers are …

A WEST Clare paramedic has revealed she thought she would die as she battled to breathe in an intensive care unit after contracting a very severe bout of Covid-19. Paula King Delaney (41) is still being treated for the virus in Tullamore Regional Hospital after she tested positive on September 14. While the Quilty mother-of-two understands people are frustrated with the extent of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, she has appealed to everyone to comply with all public health guidelines and adopt a healthy respect for the virus. “Covid-19 doesn’t care who you are and what age you are or what condition you have or haven’t got. It very dangerous and vicious. “I would urge everyone to do what they can when they can to minimise the spread of the virus. I am not judging anyone, I just want people to protect themselves. “I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I am going through ever. I wouldn’t wish it on my …

Dr Michael Harty believes Covid-19 should be categorised as a “pneumonic plague” because it is a deadly virus that people have no immunity against, attacks lungs and other vital organs and in some cases leads to deaths. The former Clare Independent Deputy has compared to current pandemic to the Spanish Flu of 1918 as it has such a destructive impact on peoples’ health. “People of all ages have died from Covid-19. There is no age group that is immune from it,” he said. His comparison comes after official confirmation the number of Covid-19 cases in Clare increased from 60 to 65 from Monday to Wednesday this week. The Kilmihil-based GP expressed concern about the dramatic increase in mortality from the virus from the mid twenties to 36 on Tuesday. He believes that Ireland is about twelve days behind Italy and in twelve days’ time the country could reach the peak experienced by the Italians a week ago. Having analysed the …