The Department of Health has confirmed 4,152 new cases of Covid-19 within the past 24 hours, in the Irish Republic.
There are 543 people in hospital who have tested positive for the virus, up 38 since yesterday and of these 118 are in intensive care units around the country; up 1 on yesterday’s reported figures.
Last week 7,359 Covid cases were recorded amongst the 5–12-year-old age group, latter an increase of 21% compared to the previous week. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee recommends that Covid-19 vaccinations be now offered to children aged 5 to 11 years. The main programme for same proposed vaccinations is likely to begin in January 2022.
In Northern Ireland, a further 1,933 positive Covid cases have been confirmed .
There are 329 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals up from 317 reported yesterday, with 38 patients in hospital intensive care units, up from the figure of 35 reported on Monday. Sadly, 5 further deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today.
In better news, BioNTech and Pfizer have said a three-shot course of their Covid-19 vaccine was able to neutralise the new Omicron variant in their laboratory tests. However, today the World Health Organisation (WHO), has stated that early data indicates the Omicron Covid variant may more easily reinfect people than previous variants, despite people already having had the virus or been vaccinated.
It is now essential that we continue to listen to science and keep ourselves and our families safe by regularly washing our hands; wearing a mask when appropriate, and cut down on unnecessary social contacts.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last month, welcomed Judge Miriam Walsh’s ruling at Ballinasloe District Court in a case involving Arrabawn Co-Operative Society Limited, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
The Court ruling convicted and fined Arrabawn Co-Operative Society Limited €40,000 for breaches of food law. Arrabawn, (whose Head Office is based in Stafford Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary), agreed to pay the FSAI’s legal costs and a contribution to the investigation costs.
A former quality manager for the company was also convicted and fined €6,500.
The case was brought by the FSAI after receipt of a protected disclosure in August 2020, which resulted in an investigation led by the FSAI, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The investigation found that documents had been illegally forged or altered and that these documents were then provided to business customers, third-party auditors, and to FSAI and DAFM authorised officers.
The breaches of food law of which Arrabawn Co-Operative Society Limited pleaded guilty include:
two charges of possession of forged or altered documents relating to testing of pasteurised milk.
possession of forged documents relating to testing and calibration records.
possession of forged documents relating to packaging integrity and water treatment.
failing to ensure that food handlers were adequately supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters.
two charges of failing to comply with microbiological criteria for Enterobacteriaceae in pasteurised milk.
supplying inaccurate information concerning the folic acid content of milk.
Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO, FSAI stated: “This court decision reinforces the legal obligation that all food businesses must abide by food law, which are in place to protect consumers’ health and interests. The law requires that food businesses must provide accurate documentation in relation to the food safety practices in their business and that their teams are properly trained and adequately supervised. Customers must have confidence in their food suppliers, certain in the knowledge that the food they are purchasing is safe and trustworthy.”
The role of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland is to protect consumers and raise compliance through partnership, science and food law enforcement. A statutory, independent and science-based body, the FSAI is dedicated to protecting public health and consumer interests in the area of food safety and hygiene.
The Department of Health has confirmed 4,607 new cases of Covid-19, here in the Republic of Ireland, in the previous 24 hours.
There remain 579 people in hospital with the virus today, an increase of 13 on yesterday’s reported figures and of these there are 115 in ICU, which is down 2 on yesterday. With 43 deaths confirmed nationally in the past week; here in Co. Tipperary 150 new cases have been confirmed within the past 14 days,
The promised new system of antigen testing for asymptomatic close contacts of Covid-19 has begun in the Irish Republic’s primary schools. Under the system, antigen tests will be made available to primary school children when a child in their ‘pod’ has a positive PCR test for the virus. Antigen testing will be offered to a full class when two or more confirmed cases of Covid-19 occur in the class within a seven-day period and outside of a single pod.
The Irish Government has dropped plans to provide cheaper antigen tests, possibly based on the strong advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet). The Minister for Health, Mr Stephen Donnelly, has stated that the price of antigen tests has now fallen in shops and supermarkets to a more affordable level.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the new Covid-19 Omicron variant, first discovered in southern Africa, now poses a very high risk globally, despite uncertainties about the danger and contagion levels of this new worrying strain. However to date, no deaths connected with the Omicron variant have as yet been reported.
The Scottish government has confirmed 6 cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant. Meanwhile, the Government in the Republic has confirmed that 11 positive tests for Covid-19 are being further examined today in an effort to identify whether or not they are in fact this same new Omicron variant.
In Northern Ireland, today a further 1,464 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the previous 24 hours, up from 1,405 cases reported yesterday.
There remain 340 Covid patients in northern hospitals 30 on Friday’s figures, with 28 people being treated in intensive care units (ICU’s), down 5 since Friday. Sadly, 4 further Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland, bringing their total number of deaths, linked to Covid-19, since the start of the pandemic to 2,873.
Continue to listen to scienceanddo keep yourself and your family safe by regularly washing your hands; wearing a mask when appropriate, and cut down on unnecessary social contacts.
Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) / Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) today (Tuesday, 16 November 2021) launched a new Code of Practice that applies to any person who keeps, breeds, rears, trains, races, trades or transports a greyhound in Ireland.
Pictured at the launch of the GRI Code of Practice at Limerick Greyhound Stadium. L – R Frank Nyhan (Chairman RCÉ), Joann Murray (Welfare Officer), William Fitzgerald (Veterinary Director).
The Code is the latest in a series of GRI care and welfare initiatives being progressed, including the provision of care and foster care centres, the introduction of an expanded inspection programme for greyhound establishments, the operation of a Greyhound Injuries Support Scheme, and the recent commissioning of the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System (RCÉTS).
Frank Nyhan, Chairperson of the Board of GRI, said the principal theme of the Code is that the welfare and care of a greyhound must at all times take precedence over the demands of the stakeholders and all those involved in the greyhound industry.
“The overriding theme of this Code is that owners or keepers must plan for the whole of a greyhound’s life,” he added.
Mr. Nyhan explained that GRI has invested significantly on its care and welfare programme during 2021 despite the impact on commercial operations during COVID-19.
He continued, “GRI plans over the next 12-18 months include a further expansion of the Care Centre/Foster Centre Programme and continuing to financially incentivise the rehoming of greyhounds in Ireland through additional supports though the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT). From January to October 2021, the rehoming of 1,827 greyhounds has been achieved compared to 1,775 for the full year of 2020,” he added.
“GRI’S Welfare Team conducted 843 announced and unannounced inspections of greyhound establishments in the year up to the end of October. Additionally, Phase Two of the RCÉTS will add further functionality and reporting to the System when it is rolled out in 2022. This amongst other life events recorded, will include recording of injury data, including injuries that occur during official and unofficial trials at GRI stadia,” added Mr. Nyhan.
William Fitzgerald, GRI Veterinary Director, commented, “The launch of the new Code demonstrates how the care and welfare of greyhounds is an absolute priority for GRI. It is also underlines GRI’s commitment to implementing a broad and comprehensive programme of initiatives that further strengthen its level of direct engagement with owners, trainers and keepers across Ireland.”
Each section of the newly launched Code of Practice has been expanded compared to the previous Code. The Code features the addition of several new principles including a direction that all trainers and owners must maintain records, must be aware of their responsibilities under all laws/regulations, must avail of training programmes, and must plan of whole of greyhound’s life. The key sections of the GRI Code of Practice include the following:
Housing must be designed, constructed and maintained in a way that ensure the welfare of the greyhounds, prevents the transmission of infectious diseases, prevents escape of greyhounds and prevents injury to either human or greyhounds.
Greyhounds must be provided with an adequate amount of exercise for their overall health and wellbeing and must be appropriate for the greyhounds age, anatomy and behavioural pattern. Greyhounds must be given the opportunity to exercise outside of their kennel at least once a day.
Enrichment and Socialisation must be provided for the greyhound at all stages of their life to enhance their wellbeing, permit them to live in many social environments and to increase their suitability for rehoming.
Owners and/or Keepers must plan for the whole of a greyhound’s life and maximise opportunities for the rehoming of their retired greyhound. All efforts must be made to rehome greyhounds once retired and given the opportunity to spend the rest of their lives as pets.
Those caring for greyhounds must possess the ability, knowledge and competence necessary to maintain the health and welfare of greyhounds. Owners/Keepers must regular check the condition of greyhounds, including their dental health.
Each premises must have a designated Veterinary Practitioner that can provide assistance and treatment. Veterinary attention must be sought if greyhounds are showing any signs of ill health.
A suitable animal health programme agreed with Vet is required of all owners/keepers including vaccination programmes and a control programme for endoparasites (worms) and ectoparasites (fleas, ticks etc).
Owners must notify the ICC of the death of a greyhound. Both the owner and new owner must notify the ICC of the transfer or sale of any greyhound. Failure to do so is an offence under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011
The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) will host its first ever outdoor graduation ceremony at TUS Gaelic Grounds on tomorrow Tuesday and on Wednesday (November 9th and 10th, 2021).
During four ceremonies across two days 1,571 students will graduate from the Faculties of Engineering and the Built Environment; Limerick School of Art and Design; Applied Science and Technology and Faculty of Business and Humanities.
As many as 4,500 people will attend over the course of the graduations, with 1,200 students graduating in person, supported by family and friends, while a further 371 people will graduate virtually, with the historic ceremony streamed live on the TUS website, tus.ie.
The transformation of TUS Gaelic Grounds into the venue for the 2021 Conferring venue has taken weeks of preparation and teamwork between TUS and the GAA. Over five days, a special stage has been constructed and the Mackey Stand transformed into an open air arena.
President of TUS Professor Vincent Cunnane said the decision to move off campus for the first time to the TUS Gaelic Grounds was made to allow people gather together, as safely as possible.
Professor Cunnane said; “We wanted to bring the graduands together again, and we were not afraid to create a new precedent in order to make that happen safely. This is a unique class which has had an unprecedented experience of higher education. No graduating class in the history of Irish Higher Education has seen more changes and more uncertainty. Indeed, no other class has had to make the transition in the latter part of their studies from on-campus college life to a virtual one, but these graduands did.“
“The very fact that the TUS graduations are taking place in a unique location is the product of a partnership between TUS and a community-based organisation, the GAA, with creative and critical thinking and a lot of hard work bringing the graduations to life. This is our ethic made real”, he continued.
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