Local Covid cases continue to drop

In Tallow, Covid-19 vaccines were rolled out to over 85-year-olds last week, administered by Dr Joe O’Keeffe with the assistance of nurses Georgina Cunningham and Kay Griffen.

Almost 60 people in the Tallow locality and surrounds received the first dose of their vaccine and now eagerly await their second doses.

As of Sunday, March 7, 375,521 first doses of the vaccination have been administered, while 150,247 people have received their second dose of the vaccine.

A notable drop in Covid cases saw 311 new instances of Covid-19 announced on Tuesday, March 9 in comparison to the 1,006 cases announced on February 10 this year. Within those figures on Tuesday, 21 new cases were reported in Cork, 18 in Limerick, 8 in Waterford and less than 5 in Tipperary.

However, 631 new cases were reported on Wednesday, with 47 deaths.

The 14-day incidence rates have also seen a decrease in new cases locally as the effects of the latest lockdown combined with the vaccine rollout begin to be seen.

At the time of writing, the most recent figures available on Local Electoral Areas (LEA) 14-day incidence rates reported 21 new cases in the Fermoy LEA, an area encompassing the towns of Fermoy, Mitchelstown and surrounds, spanning from the edge of Glenville to Doneraile and on to the Waterford boundary.

The Cappamore-Kilmallock LEA, which includes Ballylanders, Galbally, Anglesboro and parts of Kilbehenny, reported 35 new confirmed cases, while the Cobh LEA, which houses Glenville and Watergrasshill, reported 17.

During this time, the Cahir LEA, which includes Ballyporeen and Clogheen reported 27 cases, whereas the Lismore LEA recorded 9 cases, being the lowest LEA in TheAvondhu area.

According to the HSE, vaccines are currently being rolled out to those aged 65 and older living in long term care facilities, frontline healthcare workers, and to people aged 70 and older living in the community which is being done in stages.

This month is also to see the beginning of vaccinations to people aged 16 to 69 who are at very high risk.

The Covid-19 vaccine is free and will be offered to the next cohort group as soon as possible, according to the HSE. Those aged 80 or older awaiting vaccines will be contacted by their GP when their vaccine is available.