The HSE says Clare is at a critical juncture in the fight against covid-19.
Dr. Mai Mannix, its Director of Public Health in the Midwest, has warned of an increase in cases in the county in recent weeks and is urging people living in this county to re-double their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
She’s stressed, however, that the worrying trend can be reversed.
The latest figures from Health Protection Surveillance Centre show there have been 53 confirmed cases of the virus across Clare over the past fortnight.
This means that only ten counties have a higher rate than Clare at the moment.
It’s had led to concern within the health service, with the HSE’s Director of Public Health in the Midwest warning that we’re now in a vital period.
Dr Mai Mannix is urging people to ensure they’re following the health guidelines to curb the spread of the virus and says the upward trend in cases can be stopped, if people play their part.
It comes as a leading intensive care specialist says the increase in Covid-19 patients needing critical care in hospital is a “big concern”.
Latest HSE figures show the number of admissions is slowly growing, with 17 people with Covid-19 currently being treated in ICUs, two of 2 at University Hospital Limerick.
1 to 2 new patients on average are being moved to intensive care units nationally every day, with a rising number under 45 years of age.
Intensive Care Consultant at University Hospital Limerick, Dr. Catherine Motherway, is concerned about bed shortages.
The National Public Health Emergency Team meet today to discuss the situation across the country, and if they make recommendations on restrictions they will be brought before Cabinet tomorrow.
There’s growing concern over the trends in a number of counties, including Donegal, Louth and Waterford.
Taoiseach Michael Martin says the number of cases is rising too quickly in many areas, but he says it’s too early to anticipate the entire country moving to level 3 of restrictions.
