A terminally ill Clareman is pleading with people to adhere to the advice to contain the spread of COVID-19.
There are now over 1,500 confirmed cases of the virus across Ireland, including 12 in Clare, and concern is emerging that those who are not taking the crisis seriously are putting the lives of those with health issues at risk.
According to the latest Department of Health statistics, there are now 1,564 cases of coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland, with nine people losing their lives to the illness.
In addition, there are 209 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland, with seven deaths there.
The figures are likely to rise in both jurisdictions but with a tightening of restrictions both sides of the border in recent days, efforts are being increased to ensure that it can be contained as best as possible.
Nevertheless, there have been reports of people not taking it seriously, with Health Minister Simon Harris stating that he had been coughed on by a youth in Dublin in recent days.
Quin man John Wall is living with incurable prostate cancer and says these actions are literally putting lives at risk.
Separately, an urgent appeal has been issued by staff at Ennis General Hospital for families of patients to start to take this crisis much more seriously.
A visiting ban is in place across the UL Hospitals Group facilities, including in Ennis, but despite this, some family members have been attempting to see patients in recent days.
Operational Director of Nursing in Ennis Patricia O’Gorman says it’s vital that people realise that breaking these rules, has serious consequences.
Meanwhile, it’s feared that Ireland’s health system may not be able to handle the number of cricical coronavirus cases.
The European Centre for Disease Control says Ireland can cope with 5.6 critical patients in every 100 thousand, which is the lowest level in Europe.
But consultant in infectious diseases, Dr Arthur Jackson, says health officials are working to increase the number of ICU beds.
