CORONAVIRUS BULLETIN
■ SCOUTS SIGN UP
SCOUTING Ireland is to mobilise every scout group nationwide in response to the Covid-19 crisis. In a video message to all scouts, Adrian Tennant, Chairperson of Scouting Ireland, said the group has been asked by the Government to help in the nationwide battle against the outbreak. The group said they would be setting up a task force and announcing details of their plans at a later date
■ LITERACY TUITION
THE National Adult Literacy Agency is offering free tuition over the phone for adults. Tutors can help adults with reading, writing, spelling and filling out forms — such as social welfare benefit — as well as helping children with homework. Anyone interested can Freephone 1800 20 20 65, or Text LEARN to 50050.
■ BUYERS BEWARE
THE Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has warned customers against a website selling hand sanitiser products. The CCPC has concerns around the information being provided on whatadeal.ie. The organisation conceded that most firms act in good faith, but added, ‘a small minority of traders may engage in commercial practices which are damaging to consumers, particularly vulnerable consumers’.
■ CORK CLAMPDOWN
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL has called on all mobile traders to cease trading in open spaces, beaches and parks. Council members made the call yesterday, as trading in these areas was having an impact on the ability of people to practice social distancing.
■ VETS WORK ON
VETERINARY practices and State and local authority veterinary services will try to stay open during the crisis. Dr Conor Geraghty, veterinary surgeon and President of Veterinary Ireland said measures have been put in place to keep veterinary services available to as near normal as possible, while also protecting the health of clients and staff. ‘Our primary role is to protect animal health and welfare and also, by ensuring the health of the animals we keep and safety of the food we eat, to protect our nation’s health whilst maintaining the continuation and integrity of the food chain during this emergency,’ he said. WHO have advised that, while there has been one case of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, there’s no evidence that a pet can transmit COVID19. But people in isolation are being advised to not let anyone touch their pet.
■ TROLLEY FIGURES
JUST 20 patients were waiting on hospital trolleys yesterday morning, as the number remains at lower than average levels. All 20 of these patients were in the Emergency Department, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.