Tag Archives: Public Health Mid-West

The Department of Public Health Mid-West is urging people to immediately self-isolate if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, reporting unprecedented levels of infection in the community across Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary. The current high volume of cases may result in delays in reporting, meaning that data may not be complete and up-to-date, it has warned. The body claims, however, that preliminary analysis shows between 1,100 and 1,500 daily COVID-19 cases across the region. This would surpass previous records seen in January 2021 (902 cases on January 2, 2021). “We expect this high level of infection to continue circulating in the community for a number of weeks, which is why we are appealing to the public to significantly reduce social activity,” said a spokesperson. Public Health Mid-West is managing and monitoring a significant number of COVID-19 situations across a range of settings, including nursing homes, long-term care facilities, residential care facilities, special education needs facilities, and vulnerable populations. Dr …

CLARE people have been urged to limit their social activity following a dramatic rise in confirmed Covid-19 cases in recent weeks. Public Health Mid-West are advising people in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary to limit social activity in order to reduce the level of Covid-19 in the community. Infection rates have doubled in the region in recent weeks, which is similar to January levels. Unlike the January wave, the Department of Public Health are seeing a lower incidence of illness and death thanks to the successful vaccination programme to date. However, due to the sharp escalation in new cases in recent weeks, breakthrough infections with serious outcomes are more likely to occur. The department continue to encourage everyone to register for a free Covid-19 vaccine, to avail of a second dose if they have not already done so, and if eligible to avail of the booster vaccine when they receive their text message from the HSE. On November 8, there …

The Department of Public Health Mid-West has highlight the importance of strong hand hygiene and effective well water treatment, following a recent outbreak of Verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) in a single setting in the Mid-West region. VTEC is a powerful strain of E. coli bacterium that can cause serious illness in children aged under five, and the elderly. The Mid-West has one of the highest incidences of VTEC in Ireland. Public Health Mid-West is currently managing an outbreak of VTEC among young children in a single setting. The HSE can confirm that it is currently under control. The public health department reassured the public that these isolated outbreaks do not affect its work in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, or any other infectious disease in the region. Incidence of VTEC tends to be higher in warmer weather, particularly over the summer time, though the annual case number is likely to be lower in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the …

The Department of Public Health Mid-West is strongly urging Clare people to review their Christmas plans, as Covid-19 infections continue to increase at an “alarming” rate. Over the past eight days, there have been more than 300 Covid-19 cases in the region. The vast majority of these cases have been recorded in Limerick, which has seen one of its largest spikes in infections since the start of the pandemic. Unlike any other period in the pandemic due to the nature of the festive season, the Department of Public Health pointed out there have been approximately three weeks of large social gatherings that have continuously intensified to date. Preliminary evidence indicates that gatherings among families, in private households, organised events, and in the hospitality sector, are now associated with outbreaks. The Public Health Mid-West team is managing outbreaks and new cases in extended families, private households, residential care settings, workplaces, the hospitality sector and in the community. Dr Rose Fitzgerald, Specialist …

TESCO Ireland has confirmed a number of its retail staff at its Coonagh store have tested positive for Covid-19. A lot of residents in South-East Clare use this Coonagh store regularly to complete their weekly and daily shopping. Responding to Clare Champion queries, Tesco confirmed a number of their employees at their Coonagh store were confirmed cases but declined to disclose a specific number. A Tesco spokesperson said the safety of its colleagues and customers is their number one priority. “Tesco can confirm that a number of our colleagues at our Coonagh store have tested positive for Covid-19. We are fully engaged with the HSE and have followed all appropriate public health advice. “We have made face coverings available to our colleagues, and continue to emphasise that physical distancing, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene are the most important actions to protect everyone against the spread of COVID-19. We have extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone …