Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
100th birthday goes the distance
R is vital but it’s not all that matters in numbers game Perinatal mental health boost Maccy D back on menu after 33 drive-thrus open Bus firms boost services and pubs eye party in July
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IT is now generally accepted that R, the reproduction number, is one of the keys to understanding the progress of Covid-19.
When R is less than one, the number of cases, hospital admissions and deaths is in decline and, generally, we can be said to have the epidemic under a degree of control.
However, if R increases to above one it is an indication the number of cases, hospital admissions and deaths is rising and that further measures to deal with the epidemic may be required.
Every time we release some of the current restrictions, it will take around three weeks before we can be confident that R will remain below one.
However, R is not the only number which is an important indicator in relation to Covid-19.
An R value below one, no matter how far it falls, is not enough on its own to indicate that it is safe to relax the social distancing and other restrictions which are in place. Other numbers also matter.
Chief among the other important numbers are those which indicate the
MIDWIVES have welcomed the inclusion of perinatal mental health in the Northern Ireland action plan.
With the absence of a mother and baby mental health unit in the region, the Royal College of Midwives believes such services are badly needed in the community. Karen Murray, RCM’S director for Northern Ireland, said: “Mental ill current level of activity of the epidemic – the number of new cases per day, the number of patients being admitted to hospital, the number of patients who need critical care treatment, the number of cases and outbreaks in our care homes and the number of deaths.
While R is below one, all of these other numbers will be falling slowly, but we need to be confident they are at a sufficiently low level before we consider releasing further restrictions.
We need the number of new cases each day to be low so that test, trace, isolate and support can ensure every significant contact can be informed of their need to self-isolate until it is clear they do not have the infection and cannot pass it on to their family or friends.
We need the number of hospital admissions and patients who need critical care treatment to be low to ensure our health and social care system can deliver high quality care for Covid-19 patients while normal services in all other areas are restored.
And we want the number of cases and outbreaks in our care homes to be as low as possible to keep both patients and staff safe and healthy.
R is an important number, but it is not the only number which matters. health exerts an unimaginable toll on women and their families and the RCM has spent many years campaigning and advocating for perinatal mental health services for women in Northern Ireland.
“We are happy to see this finally happen and to have perinatal mental health included in the new Mental Health
Action Plan.
“The Health Minister has committed to developing a bespoke, specialist service for women with perinatal mental health needs and the RCM is keen to see the details around these plans.”
THE lockdown failed to stop Pauline Kieran’s 100th birthday bash going ahead complete with cake and some old school swing. Crooner Harry Mcgarrity provided the entertainment from the car park for those who looked on from their balconies to mark the special day at a South Belfast sheltered housing scheme. Also known as Mary, Pauline lives at Clanmil Housing’s Blessington Court in the Rosetta area of the Ormeau Road.
She said: “I’ve lived through a lot in my 100 years... this virus and lockdown are just another bump on the road.”
THERE was little doubt of our hunger to return to normality as cars queued outside Mcdonald’s drive-throughs hours before they reopened yesterday.
And as fast-food fans grabbed meals to go, there were plenty of other indicators that the country is getting back on the move... the police, and may determine it is necessary to close lanes if queues cause disruption at busier sites or put employees or customers at risk.”
The giant aims to have all of its drive-throughs open by early June.
Bus operators First Bus, Stagecoach and Arriva have added extra services after limiting passenger numbers to 25% of capacity to help ensure social distancing.
First Bus said drivers will do a head count using a device on ticket machines, closing doors and setting off when 25% capacity is reached.
Passengers who make it on will be asked to sit a safe distance apart.
Dave Lynch, of parent company Firstgroup, said: “We have been working round the clock to find ways to innovate so we can ensure safe, socially distanced space.”
Stagecoach and Arriva want commuters to wear masks and sit by a window on their own unless with a family member – and keep seats in front and behind free.
Passengers paying with cash must have the exact fare, as drivers will not give change to reduce the risk of infection. The Confederation of Passenger Transport said it was
BOOKINGS for holidays to countries that have lifted travel restrictions spiked this week, in a sign the nation is getting back on its feet.
Portugal and Greece have eased their lockdowns and Spain plans to end its own next month.
Experts believe millions are banking on a September getaway.