Covid infection continues to fall in Newbridge LEA

The Covid-19 infection rate in the Newbridge Local Electoral Area continues to fall, and is now at 115.6 per 100,000 population for the 14 days up to 2 November, writes Brian Byrne.

This compares to 177.6 seven days ago, for the 14-day period to 26 October as reported on on the Covid-19 Ireland Data Hub.

The national infection rate at 228.0 is slightly down from the 233.9 reported seven days ago.

Kilcullen is part of the Newbridge LEA. The rates in neighbouring LEAs are Naas 242.8 (previously 309.36), Athy 139.4 (169.5), Baltinglass 76.4 (160.5) and Kildare 128.4 (151.7). 

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Big increase in LEA infection rate

The number of confirmed Covid-19 infections in the Newbridge Local Electoral Area over the last 14 day period is 40, a five-fold increase compared to the equivalent number a week before, writes Brian Byrne.

This brings the infection rate in the LEA, which includes Kilcullen, to 112.7 per 100,000 people at 5 October 2020, compared to the national rate of 116.4. A week before, the numbers were 8 cases and an infection rate of 22/100k.

In neighbouring LEAs, the Naas 14-day infection rate is now 104.8, Athy has 82.9, and Kildare 23.9, according to the Covid-19 Ireland Data Hub.


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Confirmation of restrictions in Kildare from midnight

New lockdown measures are to be introduced from midnight in Kildare, Laois and Offaly, to try and deal with surges in coronavirus infections, writes Brian Byrne.

All cafes, restaurants, and pubs will be closed from midnight tonight following a recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team. Takeaway service and deliveries will be allowed from restaurants and cafes, and there can be limited outdoor dining with a maximum of 15 people and social distancing.

In a statement this evening, An Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the country has to be 'decisive' to deal with surges in infections.

The closure will be for two weeks, and in addition, all sporting events will be cancelled. Non-contact training outdoors can take place in a maximum group of 15 people. Professional and elite sports and horse-racing may continue behind closed doors, as can inter-county training and fixtures with a maximum of 15 people, behind closed doors.

Cinemas, theatres, and gyms will also close, and indoor gatherings will be limited to six people, from no more than three households. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 15 people.

There will also be a restriction on travel for residents in the counties to within their county, except for work, medical or family reasons. People from other counties are asked not to travel to the three counties, except for work, medical or family care reasons.

Those who can work from home should do so, and employers are asked to facilitate their workers in this.

Retail can remain open, with strict adherence to social distancing, and face masks must be used.

This follows the identification of 226 cases of coronavirus infection in the three counties over the last two weeks.

Ninety-eight new cases of Covid-19 have been reported to NPHET today, with four new deaths. Of the today, 66 of the new cases are in the three restricted counties. The new cases figure is the highest since 22 May.

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Special Covid advisory for Kildare

Following an increase in the numbers of Covid-19 cases in Kildare, Laois and Offaly over the last 14 days, special advice for those living in the counties has been issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team.

People who find they have new symptoms of cough, fever, shortness of breath or any loss of sense of taste or smell should immediately self-isolate, and contact their GP to have a Covid test.

Everybody is urged to double down on the basic public health guidelines for Covid, including keeping a 2-metres distance from other people, avoiding crowded spaces, hand washing and using face coverings.

Those over 70 or who are medically vulnerable should limit the number of people met to a very small network for short periods of time and remain physically distant.

If you are exercising outdoors – maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from others and wash your hands as soon as you get home. Where at all possible, avoid public transport.

There will be an advice update today, Friday.

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Update from Kilcullen Family Practice

Photo by Gareth Landy.

Kilcullen Family Practice is open for business but the work of the practice has changed greatly and will remain that way for some time to come.

Like all the other parts of the community this past eight weeks have been very difficult. Thankfully all the team have remained unaffected by Covid infection and we have seen low numbers of our patients affected. It is very important that your health is not affected by non Covid issues now and in the future.

As many of you know we have transferred a large portion of our work to telephone consultations and to electronic communication of photographs, correspondence and prescriptions. This last is done with the co operation of the local Pharmacies who have also had to alter their way of managing new and repeat prescriptions. We continue to have contact with many patients every day and see a number of patients in person. Our vaccination, maternity and other essential work has been unaffected.

We are working on ways of unwinding our lockdown but we will have to retain many of the changes in place for your safety and ours for the future remembering that these changes are likely to continue for the next 12 months.

Our aim is to reduce the number of people in the practice building itself to a minimum. When you phone for an appointment the secretary will ask the reason for the appointment. This allows us to direct it to the Doctor, the Nurse or the Administrator to deal with either over the phone or in person. We will do a lot of work over the phone or on video consultations. We appreciate that, for many, talking to your doctor or nurse on the phone or on a screen is a new and very different way of seeking medical attention but be assured that a Tele-consultation with a doctor or nurse who has your full medical record and is familiar with you and your health is very safe and effective.

We hope to extend dispatching of Certificates, Letters and other paperwork we generate to email but we have to ensure this is done with electronic security to protect patient confidentiality.

We cannot operate a Waiting Room as we did in the past. On our side this will involve endeavouring to run all appointments on time, in turn this may affect the length of time you have with the doctor compared to past times.

HSE Clinical Hubs have been set up to allow patients who may have Covid infection to be assessed. This is arranged by referral from us to the local hubs in Newbridge and Naas.

We have all have learned a lot about viral infections and infection control. Where previously you may have come to be checked or have your child checked when sick you will have learned that the best treatment of any viral illness is to stay at home so as not to spread any virus, not just Covid 19 virus.

How we operate in the future may change, according to how the Covid situation develops. If so, we will post further updates.

Thank you for all your support and good wishes.

Dr Deirdre Collins
Dr Susanna Francke
Dr Paul Hickey
All the team at Kilcullen Family Practice.

Small shift for optometrists on 18 May

From 18 May, under the planned slight easing of restrictions, Nichola Kennedy Optometrist will move from an emergency policy only to an 'urgent and emergency' policy.

Routine eye examinations are not recommended at that stage, and all children's routine eye examinations are also postponed.

The practice will continue to triage eye and glasses problems over the phone or by Zoom, whichever is appropriate, and assist as much as is possible.

Nichola has completed the WHO course on Infection Prevention and Control for Coronavirus, to ensure safety for everyone by putting in place appropriate measures to minimise risk.

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Kildare has fourth highest rate of recorded virus infection

Although County Kildare is in second place in raw numbers of confirmed infections of Covid-19, behind Dublin, the county is actually in fourth place in terms of cases as a percentage of population, writes Brian Byrne.

An analysis of the most recent figures from the Department of Health against the Census 2016 returns for population of the counties of the republic shows that the highest rate of recorded infection is currently in Cavan with 0.82pc. That county is followed by Dublin (0.71pc), Monaghan (0.63pc) and Kildare (0.52pc).

In all, ten of the 26 counties have recorded above the average 0.32pc rate of recorded infection. As well as the four above, they include Westmeath, Louth, Wicklow, Mayo, Longford and Meath.

The five counties with the least rate of recorded infections are Wexford (0.11pc), Waterford (0.12pc), Galway (0.13pc), Carlow (0.16pc) and Sligo (0.19pc).

There's an interesting, if not unexpected correlation, in that the ten counties with the highest rates of recorded infections are also the ten with the highest population densities.

A Caveat: My analysis does not take into account any disparity in testing rates for coronavirus in the different counties, so the figures cannot be taken as absolute. But they do give food for thought.

For the same reason, the percentage figures may not necessarily be a true reflection of the actual penetration of the virus in the population. Again, though, worth consideration.


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Website offers mental health and wellbeing advice

A special website set up by the Irish Government offers advice and tips on how to look after mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 situation, writes Brian Byrne.

In an easy to use interface, it has well-written and concise advice on a range of areas, including mental health, coping at home, staying active, healthy eating, helping in the community, and cocooning.

The website is constructed in association with Healthy Ireland, and also includes links to various online and phone counselling and supports from a variety of specialist organisations.

Well worth browsing through and bookmarking if you're feeling stressed about the whole issue.

Beat the Virus: Stay At Home. 

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Reminder that all pitches are closed

Pic: Google.

A reminder that all the pitches around the Community Centre and Kilcullen GAA Club are not open at the moment has been issued by Kilcullen Gardai, writes Brian Byrne.

They must not be used by anyone, including people who are out taking their exercise walks within 2km of their homes.

With the Easter Weekend coming, the Garda also asks that people only leave their homes for essential journeys, and to stay safe at home.

For anyone needed food or prescriptions deliveries who have no other help should call the special local Garda number to arrange delivery.

Beat the Virus: Stay At Home. 

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Heart2Heart Webinar this morning, and other advice

A webinar with Heart 2 Heart Physiotherapy will be held this morning, 2 April, to explore exercise in relation to heart disease, writes Brian Byrne.

The event is scheduled for 11am, and to register, please click on this link. The talk will be followed by a short online exercise session conducted by Karen and Fiona.

Though the clinic is currently closed, Heart2Heart is contactable on 087 7667465 with any queries. They are now also offering complimentary 15-minute phone consultations to help those who may be worried about their heart health at this time. Simply click here to choose a slot.

There is also a special blog post for heart patients in relation to coronavirus and the risks, which can be read here.

Beat the Virus: Stay At Home. 

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Dog dirt still a problem — Bin the Poo

Apart from the current emphasis on public heath and Covid-19 concerns, there are still other contamination dangers out there in the form of uncollected dog poo, writes Brian Byrne.

A reader has asked us to highlight a continuing issue, in her case walking the other day from Hillcrest as far as the Circle K petrol station and finding that some dog owners still don't care.

"It was a disgrace the amount of poo on the ground and used poo bags thrown on the grass," she says.

The vast majority of dog owners are responsible people. It only takes a few to muck up the reputation for them all. Any bag, any bin, people.

Beat the Virus: Stay At Home. 

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Kilcullen Mart in RTE marts story

Kilcullen's Leinster Marts operation was the background on RTE News today in a story about marts being allowed to facilitate animals sales in restricted circumstances, writes Brian Byrne.

The station's Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Correspondent Fran McNulty outlined the protocols agreed last night that will allow a limited range of services from the marts at the traditionally busiest time of the year.

They can match buyers and sellers and provide weighing of animals. No public auctions will be held, and no crowds are allowed attend.

The new measures took effect this morning. Leinster Marts operates in Kilcullen on Wednesdays.

Beat the Virus: Stay At Home. 

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Berney's Chemist encourage prescriptions be phoned or emailed

From tomorrow, Monday, Berney's Chemists are encouraging customers to phone or email their prescriptions in, and they will arrange a suitable delivery time.

People will still be able to drop their prescriptions in and collect their medication if they wish, but John Berney and John Coleman say they would like to keep footfall in the shop as low as possible, to keep customers and staff safe.

The numbers to call are 045 481497 or 0858140168 or email berneyschemist@gmail.com. "The phone lines are exceptionally busy but we have members of staff solely answering calls so if you persist you will get through eventually," they say in a Facebook post this afternoon.

John and John thank all customers for their patience over the last few weeks with the changes implemented in trying to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

Beat the Virus, Stay At Home. 

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