Killer Covid-19 Cases On Irish Mainland Today Reach 5,587.

The Department of Health has confirmed 4,181 new cases of Covid-19 in the Irish Republic, within the past 24 hours.

There remain 668 patients in the Republic’s hospitals affected with the virus, same figure up 28 on the same time yesterday and of these, 125 patients are being treated in various hospital ICUs, an increase of a further 4 in number, on yesterday’s reported figures.

In Northern Ireland a further 1,406 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed today, down from 1,846 on yesterday’s figures.

Sadly, 7 further Covid-19-related deaths have also been confirmed in Northern Ireland today; bringing the total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic is 2,840.

Here in the Irish Republic, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has once again issued a fresh appeal to the Irish public to take the necessary actions to help reduce the level of transmission in the country.
He has repeatedly urged the public to take the following five actions: –

• If you have symptoms of a cold or flu, isolate immediately and get a PCR test, not an Antigen test
• Strictly, prioritise who you need to meet.
• Meet others outdoors and open windows when indoors
• Wear a mask.
• Use the right test and understand what the test result means.

He also reiterated that people with symptoms should not rely on Antigen tests, but instead should immediately book a ‘polymerase chain reaction‘ (PCR) test, before immediately isolating.

How do you reserve a PCR test for Covid-19 Virus?

We watched with great amusement “The Week In Politics” programme (RTE 1) this afternoon, as opposition politicians anxious for power, continuing to attempt to sound intelligent, showing themselves more interested in criticising current government pandemic efforts, rather than attempting to find solutions to our serious pandemic woes; while also misleading the public.

Getting a PCR test couldn’t be easier. You can get a free PCR test in two ways: –

1. Ring your GP and get them to refer you for a Covid test.
OR
2. Refer yourself through the dedicated HSE website, [SEE LINK HERE].

To book your own PCR test online, simply follow the above stated link; select your county; preferred test location and time; enter your name, date of birth, telephone number, and a six digit code will be sent to your phone to verify that you entered the correct telephone number.
Here, in Co. Tipperary, there are two test centres, one in Nenagh and one in Clonmel. Both test centres are drive-through, so you don’t even have to get out of your car and thus remain, for the most part, in your own safety bubble.

On arrival, you’ll be asked to confirm your details and then a tester will quickly swab your throat and the inside of your nose. The whole experience lasts only a couple of minutes and for the benefit of whinging, Sinn Féin’s Ms Louise O’ Reilly, (Minister for Nothing), in Dublin Fingal, you even get a free box of 50 disposable masks.
Testers are patient and friendly and happy to answer any questions you may have. You’ll get your results in 24-48 hours via a text message to your personal phone and you’ll have peace of mind that you have had an accurate test result.

Depending on your circumstances you may need a second PCR test to confirm you are not infected with Covid-19.
For information on what to do while you are awaiting a PCR test result, it’s worth consulting your GP and the latest HSE HPSC quick isolation guides.

For children and adults aged 13 years and over, – CLICK HERE.
For children aged 13 years and under, – CLICK HERE.

Continue to listen to science – Not to Teachtaí Dála who are unqualified, nest feathering members of the Labour Party, Sinn Féin, Independent & other minor opposition parties.