GALWAY: The situation in Galway, one of the few counties in Ireland where the rate of COVID-19 infection is on the rise, raises concerns among health experts. The department of health states that the county has seen a ten-fold increase in daily infections compared to the first wave of COVID-19.
The highest number of COVID patients at Galway University Hospital (GUH) during the peak of first wave of the pandemic was 18. But as of Tuesday, 129 patients with COVID-19 were being treated at GUH, with 11 in the intensive care unit.
In the past two weeks, the Department of Health has confirmed 2,800 new COVID19 cases in Galway.
“Galway is one of the few counties in the country where the cases number continue to grow; the 14-day incidence rate is now 1,082 cases per 100,000,” Dr. Breda Smyth, Director of Public Health West said. “This means infection is everywhere in the community. In particular, the case rate is currently high in Tuam, Galway city and Oranmore,” she added.
“We need to recognise the risk that is around us. Remember that every person we meet is an infection risk, and we need to stay apart. The only way that we can halt the spread of this disease within our community and force a downward trajectory is to go the extra mile. We need to stay in our homes and gardens and not have any visitors to our homes.”
“Also, it is really important that anyone with symptoms calls their GP for a free consultation and self-isolates correctly by staying in their room to prevent the spread of the virus within the household, among loved ones,” Dr. Smyth said. He also reminded that the number of community transmissions is being felt most acutely and tragically in nursing home settings.
Given the severity of the situation, HSE, An Garda Síochána and the local government have jointly advised the public to be vigilant and stop community transmission.
General Manager of Galway University Hospital Chris Kane said: “We are seeing a very concerning rise in COVID-19 cases in the Galway community, over the last two weeks nearly 2,800 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the region. We know that seven to 10 days after diagnosis, we will see the impact of an increase in cases in the hospital setting, so we are preparing for an escalation in admissions over the next days and weeks.”
“The hospital is under significant pressure, but we are coping thanks to the tremendous efforts of our staff, many of whom are working additional hours to maintain high-quality services. Now, more than ever, is it vital that people stay at home and prevent the transmission of this virus,” Mr. Kane added.
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