Galway Bay fm newsroom – There are now 40 clusters of Covid 19 cases in nursing homes across the country.

The government’s expected to announce new measures later aimed at tackling the outbreaks.

Meanwhile, almost a thousand healthcare workers in the Republic have now tested positive for Covid 19.

New HSE figures also show 148 people are being treated in intensive care units – most of them are under 65.

There are now over 4,200 cases of coronavirus here and 120 people have died.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, says healthcare staff now account for a quarter of cases but the majority didn’t pick it up while at work.

The Chief Medical Officer also says the next 7 to 10 days will be “crucial” for knowing when the corona-virus will be at its peak in Ireland.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Gaeltacht companies across Galway are to share in a new €800 thousand fund approved by Udaras Na Gaeltachta.

The funding was approved during a historic meeting of the Udaras Board – which was forced to sit online due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

A number of projects were approved in four counties, which will result in 24 new jobs at Gaeltacht companies in Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Kerry.

Also approved was a Covid-19 business support fund worth €135 thousand, to provide practical support to Gaeltacht businesses under pressure as a result of Covid-19.

Udaras Na Gaeltacht says it is acutely aware of the significant pressures Gaeltacht are currently facing and the personal sacrifices being made by communities nationwide.

It says it’s committed to making every effort and support possible available to all sectors of the Gaeltacht during the ongoing crisis, to mitigate the negative effects as much as is possible.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The CEO of Galway Rural Development has been chosen as a ‘community champion’ to lead Galway’s community fight against Covid-19.

Steve Dolan was appointed as part of the ‘Covid Community Outreach’ programme organised by the Government in association with The Wheel and Irish Rural Link.

Champions in each of the 25 counties are chosen based on criteria including strong local links, experience of engaging with community groups and ongoing contact with those the programme seeks to help.

Speaking on his appointment, Steve Dolan said:

“We know that many of the people we work with are struggling with the isolation, employment, or other issues associated with the current restrictions and we’re here to help.”

“Services across the county are responding rapidly to the changed circumstances, and community and voluntary organisations are supporting vulnerable individuals and community groups wherever needed. We’ll get through this together.”

Steve was the recipient of a ministerial award in 2018 for promoting integration and social inclusion, and raised €10,000 for Galway charities and community organisations last year through the publication of heritage books during Heritage Week.

Meanwhile, Galway County Council is also co-ordinating organisations across the county and a dedicated community support helpline is available at 1800 92 88 94 or email covidsupport@galwaycoco.ie.

Galway City Council has also launched a freephone number to assist the elderly and vulnerable across the city who are in social isolation due to Covid-19.

The freephone number is 1800 400 150 – while the dedicated community support forum can also be contacted via email at covidsupport@galwaycity.ie.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 17 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland have died. 

• 15 deaths located in the east, 1 in the south, 1 in the west of the country
• The patients included 4 females and 13 males
• 13 patients were reported as having underlying health conditions
• Median age of today’s reported deaths is 77

There have now been 137 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. 

The median age of deaths in Ireland is 81.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed of 331 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, as of 1pm, Saturday 4th April.

There are now 4,604 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “This week, the National Public Health Emergency Team made a range of recommendations to support the response in nursing homes and long-term residential facilities to COVID-19. This remains a priority for our focused attention and we will continue to monitor the rate of infection within these environments and support the sector through this outbreak.

“The nationwide, collective effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 has been inspiring. We must keep up this effort, continue to protect the vulnerable in our society and ultimately flatten the curve.”

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Today’s data from HPSC, as of midnight, Thursday 2nd April 2020 (4,014 cases), reveals 7 new confirmed cases in Galway, bringing the total to 105.

Other data includes:

• 48% are male and 52% are female, with 206 clusters involving 838 cases
• Median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
• 1,118 cases (28%) have been hospitalised
• Of those hospitalised, 158 cases have been admitted to ICU
• 1,084 cases (27%) are associated with healthcare workers
• Dublin has the highest number of cases at 2,251 (56% of all cases) followed by Cork with 304 cases (8%)
• Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 62%, close contact accounts for 24%, travel abroad accounts for 14%

21,000 Meals Delivered to Ireland’s critical frontline workers

#fuellingthefrontline

Former Irish Rugby international player and Feed The Heroes ambassador Bernard Jackman is encouraging the public to continue donating to the Feed The Heroes fund. Feed The Heroes, a national fund set up two weeks ago to raise funds to provide Ireland’s critical frontline workers with nutritious meals as they front Ireland’s response to the Covid-19 emergency, has raised €560,000 in just two weeks. To date more than 21,000 meals have been delivered nationwide.

Feed The Heroes partners with restaurants and takeaways, caterers and commercial kitchens to prepare and deliver the meals and co-ordinates with the frontline teams to ensure they get to where they are needed. So far meals have been delivered to staff at the Covid-19 Testing Centres, HSE Contact Tracing, the National Ambulance Service, the Fire Brigade and an Garda Síochána as well as hospital workers. Feed The Heroes has clearly struck a chord with Irish people with the funds raised to date coming from more than 11,700 individual donations. The meals, as well as providing much needed food, are also a simple way of showing solidarity and gratitude to Ireland’s critical frontline workers who are working long shifts in very challenging circumstances as they combat Ireland’s biggest ever public health emergency.

Bernard was speaking to Oisin Langan…

To donate to the Feed The Heroes fund log onto www.feedtheheroes.com

Phyllis Monahan nee Linnane

Attyslaney, Tubber.  Private mass on Tuesday at 11 in St. Anne’s Church, Shanaglish, for family only.  Private funeral afterwards to Kilmacduagh Cemetery.  A memorial mass for Phyllis Monahan will be held at a later date.

Delia Kelly

Cappaghnaughton, Mullagh.  Private funeral to take place.  A memorial mass in celebration of Delia Kelly’s life will be held at a later date.

Rita Kelly nee Tierney

St. Johns Terrace, Henry Street and formerly of Nun’s Island.  Private funeral to take place.  A memorial mass for Rita Kelly will be held at a later date.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Supermac’s has been successful in its bid to block a London bar with a similar name from registering its name in the UK.

The UK Intellectual Property Office ruled that “Supermax” appears similar and sounds identical to the existing Supermac’s name and could confuse consumers.

According to the Irish Independent, the ruling was made as both would involve food and drink, with business likely to depend on promotion material and street signage.

It was also deemed that the argument of R7 restaurants – which operates the Supermax bar – that it operated the bar in a different location to the burger chain, was irrelevant.

It’s reported that Supermac’s boss Pat McDonagh is happy with the result – but says the company currently has “bigger fish to fry” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen Supermac’s close its outlets nationwide.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The number of Covid 19 outbreaks in nursing homes has risen to 50.

The latest HSE data also shows 158 people are being treated in intensive care units after contracting coronavirus.

There are now over 4,600 confirmed cases in the Republic – including 105 in Galway – and 137 people have died.

Representatives from the nursing home industry have welcomed measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19 in the facilities – but say the Government were “late coming to the table”.

Health Minister Simon Harris announced supports for nursing homes as 40 clusters have been identified, the majority in the east of the country.

Staff will now be checked for symptoms multiple times a day, while 72 million euro has been set aside for the care homes to implement the plans.

Meanwhile, Dr. Catherine Motherway, President of the Intensive Care Society, says ICUs can only guarantee space if the rate of infection continues to fall.

While the HSE says it’s not recommending people to wear face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Countries like the US have told people to cover their faces as the number of cases rises.

But Dr Breda Smyth from the HSE says that’s not the advice here.

Meanwhile, Gardai say it’s vital people keep following the restrictions in place aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Mild weather is expected today, but the force is urging everyone to stay at home and continue to practice social distancing.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A City Councillor is slamming those responsible for increased illegal dumping across the city during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Alan Cheevers says waste is being illegally dumped everywhere – at clothes banks, bottle banks, in public parks, at public bins and even on the streets.

He says while the issue was always there, the problem has gotten significantly worse over the past number of weeks, with more people at home due to the ongoing crisis.

Fianna Fail Councillor Cheevers says now more than ever, we need stronger legislation to tackle those responsible.

To hear more, tune into Galway Bay fm news…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The HSE says 20 per cent of personal protective equipment that’s arrived in Ireland so far is NOT suitable for general healthcare use.

Millions of euro worth of PPE has already been flown here from China for use by medical staff.

But the HSE says a fifth of it – mainly masks – doesn’t meet their requirements.

It insists some of the equipment could be used for other purposes, such as in isolation facilities.

CEO Paul Reid says they’ve tried to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

To hear more, tune into Galway Bay fm news….

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A local link telephone service for people who have been forced to self isolate or cocoon has been launched in the Moycullen area.

A local link telephone service for people who have been forced to self isolate or cocoon has been launched in the Moycullen area.

Forrbairt Pobail Mhaigh Cuilin have setup the service that allows users to confidentially access information such as what businesses offer home deliveries or how to contact volunteers to request help.

The Moycullen Community Development Association is also contributing €5,000 towards a local support fund along with a local resident who has matched the donation.

The coronavirus support service is being run through the Moycullen Community Office and will be available from 10 to 12 noon initially at 091 555626

Cathaoirleach of Forbairt Pobail Mhaigh Cuilinn, Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha says a simple chat on the phone can be incredibly important for people isolating on their own.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – NUI Galway’s Professor Alan Ahearne says there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the economy after the coronavirus.

Alan Ahearne is Director of the Whitaker Institute and Professor of Economics at the university.

He also served as Special Adviser to Ireland’s former Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan from 2009 to 2011

Professor Ahearne says there are some reasons for optimism as it’s not a typical recession.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A Roscommon/Galway TD is calling on the National Public Health Emergency Team to consider a proposal on the wearing of home-made cloth face coverings in public and work areas.

According to the HSE, face coverings are unlikely to be of any benefit to the public unless a person is sick.

The Regional Group of Independent TDs, of which Roscommon/Galway Deputy Denis Naughten is chair, says cloth face coverings could prevent cough and sneeze droplet spread.

The group has pointed to new evidence from the Centre for Disease Control in the US, which recommends wearing face coverings in public settings.

The Regional Group argues that the Government’s “Community Call” programme should consider taking the lead in providing face masks templates to the public so that they can be made at home.

It has moved to stress the masks would not be akin to those reserved and worn by frontline heathcare workers.

Deputy Naughten says wearing cloth masks could allow some people to return to work, while continuing to observe social distancing….

AIB have released a video that documents the intensity of the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Club Final through the eyes of the players, managers, selectors, fans and the communities of both finalists, Sarsfields and Slaughtneil. The game which took place on Sunday 1^st March came to a nail-biting conclusion and, while the difference between winning and losing is palpable in the reactions of the respective players, so too is that regardless of the result the experience is shared with their communities.

It was the Galway team, Sarsfields, that got the better of Derry’s Slaughtneil, thanks to an injury-time goal from AIB Camogie Club Player of the Year Siobhán McGrath. The emotional, fast-paced short film, provides a snap shot from areas that are typically inaccessible including the dressing room, tunnel and corridors of Croke Park, pitch-side match and post-match footage as well as the Sarsfield’s team bus on their journey home. 

A number of the players who feature in the piece were named in the AIB Camogie Club Team of the Year announced last week. Champions Sarsfields from Galway, six players from Ulster Champions and All-Ireland Runners-Up Slaughtneil, two players from Clare’s Scariff-Ogonelloe along with one player from St Vincent’s of Dublin.

This is the 7^th year that AIB has supported the AIB All Ireland Club Camogie Championships. AIB understands the importance of these Championship to clubs all around Ireland. This video seeks to detail the skill, the passion and the dedication shown by players, managers, club and communities to secure The Toughest Championship Trophy of them all.

The video will be released exclusively on AIB’s social media channels (facebook.com/AIBGAA and @AIB_GAA on Twitter) and their YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/aibbanktv

For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from the AIB Camogie and Club Championships follow AIB GAA on Twitter, Instagram, and facebook.com/AIBGAA.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme has delivered an inspiring address to NUI Galway’s online conferring of 190 future doctors.

Dr Mike Ryan, an NUIG graduate of the class of 1988 asked the new graduates to ‘protect themselves, others and serve those in need’.

The Newcastle based university hosted an online conferring ceremony for the School of Medicine today due to COVID 19 restrictions.

The Health Minister Simon Harris also addressed the graduation ceremony via video link and told NUIG’s 2020 Medicine class to “come work with us.”

Executive Director at the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme Dr Mike Ryan urged the medicine class to join the battle against COVID-19.

To hear more, tune into Galway Bay fm news…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Galway Cycling Campaign is calling on motorists to slow down, as traffic volumes on the road network have considerably reduced during the ongoing lockdown.

The cycling group says our busy hospitals shouldn’t be burdened with injuries from road traffic collisions that could potentially occur due to increased speed.

The group has praised the recent siting of a Garda speed van at the Seapoint roundabout in Salthill – where it argues many collisions have occurred in the past.

Martina Callanan is spokesperson for Galway Cycling Campaign – she says essential workers who travel to work by bike, on foot or by car need to feel safe on our roads.

To hear more, tune into Galway Bay fm news…

Today on the show Keith took a look at the Election to the Senate of Pauline O’Reilly, the first ever diagnosis of COVID-19 in Barbados, GMIT’s new president joined Keith and much more.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to Irish folk singer, Mary McPartlan, who has died at age 65.

Ms. McPartlan who was a musical director, broadcaster and folk singer, is well known among Galway’s arts circles.

President Higgins says she was pivotal in the Galway theatre company, Skehana, the Galway singers club, Riabhóg, and the Galway Youth Theatre.

He says he was privileged to call Ms McPartlan his friend and describes the late singer as admirably brave with a nobility of heart and a powerful reach of humanity.

To hear more, tune into Galway Bay fm news at 5…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway East TD Anne Rabbite has warned that childcare providers are losing faith in the Department of Children after the delay of the Covid-19 Wage Support Childcare Scheme.

The scheme, which was announced last month, will pay for the wages of childcare staff as long as parental fees are not charged during the coronavirus pandemic, however, its start date has been pushed back.

Deputy Anne Rabbitte says this has caused confusion and frustration among childcare providers who had started paying staff out of their own pockets – with the belief they would be refunded by the government.

The Fianna Fail TD has warned that if this confusion continues, providers will be left with no choice but to let staff go and some creches may shut.

Deputy Rabbitte is calling on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to give reassurance to early years providers.