Urgent appeal over Covid spread

The 14-Day incidence rate of Covid-19 nationally now stands at 206.7 cases per 100,000 of the population. For Cavan this rate is 639.3 and Monaghan it is 350.2 cases per 100,000.

The North East Major Emergency Management Interagency Group, which includes input from the HSE, Gardaí and Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, has urged the public to help stop the spread of Covid.

In the last 14 days there has been a rapid increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 in Cavan and Monaghan.

In the 14 days to October 14 there were 487 new positive cases in Cavan and 215 in Monaghan.

The 14-Day incidence rate of Covid-19 nationally now stands at 206.7 cases per 100,000 of the population. For Cavan this rate is 639.3 and Monaghan it is 350.2 cases per 100,000.

Between October 12-15, 1,699 people have been tested for Covid in Testing Centres in Cavan and Monaghan, with a positivity rate of 18% in Cavan and 15% in Monaghan.

The national average testing positivity rate is currently 6.5%, meaning the community transmission rate is much higher in Cavan and Monaghan.

Cavan and Monaghan have now moved to the level 4 alert on the Living with Covid-19 Plan. “We realise this is a very worrying time for our communities, businesses and our Health Services but every single citizen must now commit to doing everything possible to stop the spread of the virus,” said a statement from the North East Major Emergency Management Interagency Group.

The HSE, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils and an Garda Síochána are working together through emergency management structures to co-ordinate the community response to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Today they are issuing an urgent appeal to the people of Cavan and Monaghan to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Dr Augustine, Pereira, Director of Public Health Medicine in the North East explained that we need everyone to act now to reduce the spread of the virus along the border counties.

Dr Pereira added: “Here are the actions I am now asking everyone to take:

·        Keep your number of contacts to an absolute minimum. This is very important.  The virus likes people coming together – you must not give it the chance to spread!

·        Keep a two metre distance from anyone that you do not live with

·        Wear a face covering and wear it correctly

·        Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly

·        If you have any Covid symptoms or are feeling unwell, don’t hesitate – ring your GP and follow your GP’s advice. A Covid -19 GP consultation is free of charge. If your GP refers you for a free Covid test, then please isolate at home while you await your test and follow the guidance given. If it’s the weekend, please ring your GP Out of Hours Service and follow their advice.

Chief Superintendent for the Monaghan Garda Division, Aidan Glacken meanwhile said: “We are now in level 4 and these further restrictions are put in place to protect lives – your parents, your grandparents, your children and your life.  We need everyone to adhere to the rules, please be responsible and do everything in your power to stop the spread of this deadly virus." We thank the public for their cooperation to date and look forward to their continued cooperation with the further restrictions now in place.  I want to emphasise that An Garda Síochána are present and working on an ongoing basis in the community and are available to assit people where necessary.  Do not hesitate to contact us.”

The Chief of Executive of Cavan County Council Tommy Ryan added: “This is a difficult time for everyone but we need to get the virus under control in the area.  If anyone needs assistance, I would ask them to call the Covid 19 Community Helpline. We can get through this together, if we all do our part and adhere to the guidelines.”

The Chair of the Major Emergency Management Interagency Group, Brendan Lawlor concluded the appeal by advising: “We can turn this around by each citizen following the guidelines to protect our citizens and our Health Service.”