New testing site sought to meet demand

SURGE Over 400 Covid cases in just a week

An alternativesite to set-up a new Covid test centre is being sought in County Cavan after the numbers being tested in the county increased for the third week in a row.

It comes as Cavan’s 14-day incidence rate for COVID-19 rate continues to be the highest nationally, more than three times the national average and almost double the next county, neighbouring County Meath.

Between October 5 and midnight on October 19, Cavan’s COVID-19 incidence rate per 100,000 population shot up to 909.7 (the national average is 279.3 cases per 100K of population). In real terms, there were 693 new confirmed cases in the fortnightly period concerned.

In the week from Monday, October 12 to Sunday, October 18, a total of 416 new cases were confirmed in County Cavan. Those figures include a daily rise of 128 cases between October 11-12 and 81 between October 13-14.

There were only two of the seven days where the daily number of new cases fell below the 30 mark.

Cases in Cavan General

Cavan General Hospital also continues to have the highest number of Covid positive patients admitted in the country. Some 33 inpatients with the virus were being treated at the hospital on Monday, October 19, one of whom is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Strict restrictions remain in place at Cavan General in relation to visitors and movements of staff.

Testing capacity

Last week, Monday to Sunday, October 12-18, a total of 1,525 people were tested for COVID-19 at the Ballinagh test centre site.

It represents a six per cent increase on the 1,440 tested in Ballinagh between October 5-11. In Monaghan, 1,252 people were tested last week, compared to 978 the previous week, up 28%.

However, the HSE states there are “no current plans”, similar to those instigated in Donegal earlier in the year, to set up a “pop up testing” site in either Cavan or Monaghan to cope with demand.

It’s understood that there are “no plans” at present to approach the GAA County Board with a view to reopening Kingspan Breffni as a testing location. The GAA had donated the use of the grounds free of charge in the early stages of the pandemic.

A spokesperson for the HSE informed The Anglo-Celt: “The HSE are exploring alternative sites for a Community Testing Site. There are no plans at present to reopen the Testing Site at Breffni Park. There are no plans to open a ‘pop-up’ test centre in Cavan at present- however, all options are continuously been reviewed.”

Last week the HSE, Gardaí and Cavan and Monaghan County Councils met as part of the region’s Major Emergency Management Interagency Group to discuss management structures in order to co-ordinate the community response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) reported 13 additional deaths related to COVID-19 in Ireland. It brought the death toll to date to 1,865.

As of midnight on Monday, October 10, the HPSC has been notified of 1,269 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 80 new cases in County Cavan and 38 in Monaghan. There have now been a total of 52,256 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland since February 29.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan warned that people with symptoms must follow the guidelines by restricting their movements.

“If you have symptoms of COVID-19, if you are waiting for a test result or if you are a confirmed case, you must self-isolate for 10 days from when you first develop symptoms,” he said.

“Self-isolation means staying in your room, away from other members of your household.

“If you live in a house with a confirmed case, do not go to work or school. You must stay at home and restrict your movements for 14 days.”