Coronavirus

madalig12

And Covidoloco of course

CastorTroy

madalig12 wrote: »

A class in a secondary school closed in ballybofey and a class in a national school in Castlefin the same. Aura have a swim teacher out and more isolating.

Where'd you see that? Asking because both could affect my parents?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

CastorTroy wrote: »

Where'd you see that? Asking because both could affect my parents?

Don't know about the specific schools but there are several confirmed cases around Castlefin. A few of them are secondary school aged. The GAA club shut down last week too.

muffler

CastorTroy wrote: »

Where'd you see that? Asking because both could affect my parents?

You wont really see details published in any of the reputable local media. A lot of these stories stem from local knowledge.

I have heard myself about a positive case in a locsl secondry school in Stranorlar. I've also heard of a small cluster in Castlefinn but it was a family name mentioned so I wont repeat that here.

There are also known cases in Lifford involving the Courthouse, the local GAA club and a taxi driver who tested positive and his wife took to Facebook it seems to advise any of his fares in the days before to get tested.

muffler

I know of a small group of people who went out for a meal at the weekend in a well known establishment in the twin towns area. They decided to sit in the lounge after the meal (around 9'ish) and were served drink with last orders called at 1:30AM :eek:

People themselves and moreso the business owners who disregard the advise and regulations is getting us to exactly where we are today with loads of cases.

malinheader

Letterkenny and Donegal in general making the six one news tonight.
Must be bad when we're getting a mention on the six one.

muffler

malinheader wrote: »

Must be bad when we're getting a mention on the six one.

16 more cases bad

IrishZeus

Only Dublin being considered for Level 3 tomorrow though, which is good news. If cases here continue at this level though, it’s only a matter of time....

muffler

muffler wrote: »

I know of a small group of people who went out for a meal at the weekend in a well known establishment in the twin towns area. They decided to sit in the lounge after the meal (around 9'ish) and were served drink with last orders called at 1:30AM :eek:

People themselves and moreso the business owners who disregard the advise and regulations is getting us to exactly where we are today with loads of cases.

Agreed. People seem to have the attitude that they did the whole social distancing thing, while people could come from anywhere in the world and pretty much do what the liked - and that's where the race was lost for those looking for an excuse to justify breaking the rules.

To a certain extent, I can't see what the difference is in being a close contact for 90min vs. 180min. You could argue that those who are determined to do a nights drinking will just move from pub to pub, thus adding to the number of social contacts. You could equally argue that if every person spends 90 minutes in the pub, then they have less contacts - provided all of them enter and leave the pub at the same time...

I don't know what the answer is - but again and again, I've heard or read people wondering why they can't socialise with someone they work with all day, or whose kids are in the same classroom all day - and I can't think of a logical answer...

Whether pubs are open or closed doesn't affect me, because I don't frequent them anyway. I do have sympathy for the owners and staff, but not to the extent that I believe some should flout the rules, while others see their livelihoods going down the drain.

I obey the restrictions, but I can't see the logic behind a lot of them, and I don't believe a certain percentage of people will observe restrictions that don't make sense to them - and that's before you take account of the people who wouldn't have observed the restrictions anyway!

I've been out for 1 meal since the restrictions started. I don't socialise with friends anymore, just immediate family. To be perfectly honest - I'm sick of it - and if I'm sick of it with a vulnerable person to think of, then those without those worries are likely to ignore the restrictions, which will certainly lead to even more cases.

In all honesty, I think we're in for a nasty couple of months, and I don't think the advice from NPHET is going to stop it.

Maybe if NPHET started explaining the reasoning behind their recommendations, it would help.
But, realistically, it's a hell of a lot easier to keep a horse in the stable with the door closed, than it is to open the door, let half the horses out, and then expect the others to stay put...

babybuilder

Deleted User wrote: »

Agreed. People seem to have the attitude that they did the whole social distancing thing, while people could come from anywhere in the world and pretty much do what the liked - and that's where the race was lost for those looking for an excuse to justify breaking the rules.

To a certain extent, I can't see what the difference is in being a close contact for 90min vs. 180min. You could argue that those who are determined to do a nights drinking will just move from pub to pub, thus adding to the number of social contacts. You could equally argue that if every person spends 90 minutes in the pub, then they have less contacts - provided all of them enter and leave the pub at the same time...

I don't know what the answer is - but again and again, I've heard or read people wondering why they can't socialise with someone they work with all day, or whose kids are in the same classroom all day - and I can't think of a logical answer...

Whether pubs are open or closed doesn't affect me, because I don't frequent them anyway. I do have sympathy for the owners and staff, but not to the extent that I believe some should flout the rules, while others see their livelihoods going down the drain.

I obey the restrictions, but I can't see the logic behind a lot of them, and I don't believe a certain percentage of people will observe restrictions that don't make sense to them - and that's before you take account of the people who wouldn't have observed the restrictions anyway!

I've been out for 1 meal since the restrictions started. I don't socialise with friends anymore, just immediate family. To be perfectly honest - I'm sick of it - and if I'm sick of it with a vulnerable person to think of, then those without those worries are likely to ignore the restrictions, which will certainly lead to even more cases.

In all honesty, I think we're in for a nasty couple of months, and I don't think the advice from NPHET is going to stop it.

Maybe if NPHET started explaining the reasoning behind their recommendations, it would help.
But, realistically, it's a hell of a lot easier to keep a horse in the stable with the door closed, than it is to open the door, let half the horses out, and then expect the others to stay put...

Great post. I think a lot of people feel this way. It is well known how this virus spreads and yet a sizeable minority of people ignore this advice or have a certain entitlement or, lets say, hubris - I'm not going to get ill or die or along this lines. I see it at my workplace. The people who follow the regulations are the people who want to do this, no enforcement. And the statement from NPHET that the opening of schools has no effect on household or community transmission beggars belief.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

babybuilder wrote: »

And the statement from NPHET that the opening of schools has no effect on household or community transmission beggars belief.

I don't know that it does. If it was spreading through the schools then we'd be hearing of entire schools shutting down. As it is there's only been cases of a child having it and their class being tested as a precaution. From the data being released it seems like the majority of kids getting it are picking it up somewhere else. The vast majority of clusters around the country have been non school workplace related. Anyone I've heard of getting it in this second wave has got it through socialising or work.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I don't know that it does. If it was spreading through the schools then we'd be hearing of entire schools shutting down. As it is there's only been cases of a child having it and their class being tested as a precaution. From the data being released it seems like the majority of kids getting it are picking it up somewhere else. The vast majority of clusters around the country have been non school workplace related. Anyone I've heard of getting it in this second wave has got it through socialising or work.

In fairness, the schools haven't been open long enough for any level of evidence to have been collected.

Having said that, schools have long been recognised as petri dishes for seasonal flu and other airborne illnesses, as well as gastroenteritis and all the contact illnesses.

So, it's a bit disingenuous for any public body to suggest that there's "no evidence" when the dogs in the street know that Covid-19 can spread through droplets in the air, and surface contact, both - irrespective of where the 1st case in a school may have originated.

babybuilder

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I don't know that it does. If it was spreading through the schools then we'd be hearing of entire schools shutting down. As it is there's only been cases of a child having it and their class being tested as a precaution. From the data being released it seems like the majority of kids getting it are picking it up somewhere else. The vast majority of clusters around the country have been non school workplace related. Anyone I've heard of getting it in this second wave has got it through socialising or work.

The post primary school communities are sizeable including teachers, SNAs, other ancillary staff, students aged 12-18 yrs of age.
International evidence would support that once it is in the community it will be in schools. Therefore it will increase the spread of the virus especially in older ages in post-primary schools.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/covid-19-may-spread-more-easily-in-schools-than-thought-us-report-warns-1.4323634
The US
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/08/418301/stop-covid-19-spread-schools-start-local-data-and-do-math
The JAMA report issued in the US showed that while large % of children are asymptomatic they shed viruses as much as adults.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/11/children-schools-coronavirus-leana-wen/
Furthermore, there have been occurrances in a large number of schools in Ireland, north and south already. The lack of clarity and openness on these outbreaks is worrying. I'm all for schools opening but the infrastructure in many schools is poor with little space for recreation or canteen facilities, narrow corridors. Also there has been no preparation for hybrid learning
I see third level institutions in Dublin have been asked to do online lessons only. Many students in second level are of the same age.
Just give it time. I hope I'm wrong.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

[Deleted User] wrote: »

In fairness, the schools haven't been open long enough for any level of evidence to have been collected.

Having said that, schools have long been recognised as petri dishes for seasonal flu and other airborne illnesses, as well as gastroenteritis and all the contact illnesses.

So, it's a bit disingenuous for any public body to suggest that there's "no evidence" when the dogs in the street know that Covid-19 can spread through droplets in the air, and surface contact, both - irrespective of where the 1st case in a school may have originated.

But if it's not spreading in the schools, which so far it isn't in any major way, the schools aren't a problem. It was always stated that children returning to school would result in more cases, but that could be offset by adults limiting their unnecessary contacts and following all the regulations we've been following since March. Schools have been open again for 3-4 weeks now. Everything with this virus seems to be on a 2 week delay, so we would be seeing clusters in schools by now if it was happening. (Obviously that's not to say it won't happen in the future, but as of now it doesn't appear to be)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

babybuilder wrote: »

International evidence would support that once it is in the community it will be in schools. Therefore it will increase the spread of the virus especially in older ages in post-primary schools.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/covid-19-may-spread-more-easily-in-schools-than-thought-us-report-warns-1.4323634
The US
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/08/418301/stop-covid-19-spread-schools-start-local-data-and-do-math
The JAMA report issued in the US showed that while large % of children are asymptomatic they shed viruses as much as adults.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/11/children-schools-coronavirus-leana-wen/

I'm not dismissing any of this but the US have never even come close to getting this under control. Their studies and numbers can't really be applied here when we had it down to very small numbers of new cases when reopening schools.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

But if it's not spreading in the schools, which so far it isn't in any major way, the schools aren't a problem. It was always stated that children returning to school would result in more cases, but that could be offset by adults limiting their unnecessary contacts and following all the regulations we've been following since March. Schools have been open again for 3-4 weeks now. Everything with this virus seems to be on a 2 week delay, so we would be seeing clusters in schools by now if it was happening. (Obviously that's not to say it won't happen in the future, but as of now it doesn't appear to be)

But we are beginning to see cases in schools now. Therefore, give it another 2-3 weeks before we can reasonably expect to see clusters. In addition, if children show fewer symptoms, or are asymptomatic - then the likelihood is that they won't be tested - but can still
spread the virus, and, in the absence of any confirmed close contact, cases in adults will be classed as community transmission.

Evidence based science is unquestionably what we should be basing our response on - but where there cannot be current evidence, as with Covid-19, then it doesn't seem remotely logical to dismiss prior scientific evidence re: schools, when the method of transmission is already known...

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

[Deleted User] wrote: »

But we are beginning to see cases in schools now. Therefore, give it another 2-3 weeks before we can reasonably expect to see clusters. In addition, if children show fewer symptoms, or are asymptomatic - then the likelihood is that they won't be tested - but can still
spread the virus, and, in the absence of any confirmed close contact, cases in adults will be classed as community transmission.

Evidence based science is unquestionably what we should be basing our response on - but where there cannot be current evidence, as with Covid-19, then it doesn't seem remotely logical to dismiss prior scientific evidence re: schools, when the method of transmission is already known...

Yes, and in 2 - 3 weeks time, if schools are having to shut down because half the students have Covid, then we can question what should be done about schools. My point is that at the moment, schools reopening are not responsible for the increase in cases we're seeing, so focusing on them when there are other areas that need to be addressed, and a lot of them are very easily fixed if people would take responsibility for their own actions, is pointless.

To be honest I'm sick of people complaining about schools when we're still planning on reopening pubs next week and the only issue most seem to have with that is the term "wet pub".

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Yes, and in 2 - 3 weeks time, if schools are having to shut down because half the students have Covid, then we can question what should be done about schools. My point is that at the moment, schools reopening are not responsible for the increase in cases we're seeing, so focusing on them when there are other areas that need to be addressed, and a lot of them are very easily fixed if people would take responsibility for their own actions, is pointless.

To be honest I'm sick of people complaining about schools when we're still planning on reopening pubs next week and the only issue most seem to have with that is the term "wet pub".

I haven't been complaining about schools, though - I made a point that people can't see the logic behind the restrictions, using children mingling at school, or people working together all day, yet being restricted in seeing one another in the evening.

I do, however, stand by my point that I fully expect to see clusters in the schools in the coming weeks, as well as some workplaces where social distancing is difficult, if not impossible, or where air circulation is poor.

Time will tell. But generally speaking, if something walks like a duck and talks like a duck - you'd wonder why someone would flat out deny that it's a duck, until someone proves that it is

Scoil na Mainistreach. Celbridge, Co. Kildale, ordered to close because of Covid-19 cluster

muffler

We're going off in a wee bit of a tangent now folks. Can we stick to the local issues please. I realise its hard to get points across but I think the thread would be best served by posting up and commenting on all things relevant to the county while the wider / general discussion points can be made in the dedicated Coronavirus thread a I linked to a few posts back.

Thanks for your cooperation

Heighway61

Anyone catch the RTE 6.1 news report from Letterkenny yesterday? Anything new in it?

Don't know the figures but in terms of cases per head of population would we be far off level 3?

Nollog

Heighway61 wrote: »

Anyone catch the RTE 6.1 news report from Letterkenny yesterday? Anything new in it?

Don't know the figures but in terms of cases per head of population would we be far off level 3?

Just about buritto loco and to watch ourselves or we'll be locked down with Dublin.

muffler

Heighway61 wrote: »

Anyone catch the RTE 6.1 news report from Letterkenny yesterday? Anything new in it?

A local doctor was suggesting that the increase in positive cases was stemming mostly from parties i.e. christening, retirement parties etc which makes sense.

The relevant piece can be viewed on the RTE player here - start player at around 11:45

So, is saying the cases are random, and mainly caused by parties etc. another way of saying community transmission is well underway, or do they think they can contain it using test and trace?

Does anyone know anything more?
Donegal being singled out as a cause for concern doesn't exactly sound reassuring.

muffler

I dont really know anything other than whats been posted already. Getting a mention at the daily press briefing is indeed worrying.

Added to that is the fact that another 13 have been announced today.

As a little aside my wife was told by a staff member in our local medical centre today that they had been advised of a substantial outbreak in Derry.

petrolcan

/\/ollog wrote: »

Just about buritto loco and to watch ourselves or we'll be locked down with Dublin.

Funny enough, the BBC UK national news just now mentioned Dublin going to L3 yet showed video of Burrito Loco & Crossview House

malinheader

Pity it took something as horrible as covid for Donegal to get its fair share of mention on the national broadcast station.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

My understanding of several of the cases this week is that they link back to the same party. There is a cluster among a family, but there are other cases among people who attended and then went about their business as normal, symptom free, for about a week, before being contacted to go for testing. So presumably these cases are what we're seeing this week in the numbers.

Heighway61

Confirmed cases by local electoral area now available. A bit more precise than by County, I suppose. Also, five days behind so won't show the recent surge.

https://www.highlandradio.com/2020/09/19/details-of-confirmed-covid-19-cases-released-per-local-electoral-area/

https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/

muffler

They had been doing this by DED (District Electoral Division) but never updated it despite their website saying differently. I cant recall how many DED's cover the county but it would be in the region of 40 so would have given a more detailed "local slant" to the figures. For example the Letterkenny Rural DED had 51 confirmed cases and the DED of Fahan had 33. On the flip side the Fahan DED was the highest with 1945 when listing the cases per 100k of population. Those figures all go back to around mid - late August.

They have now replaced that map with an Electoral Area map which basically has the county divided in 3 or 4 with layers which is pretty useless to be honest.

I emailed them some days ago asking why they werent updating the DED interactive map and the following is the nonsensical reply I got .....

Dear Mr muffler


Thank you for your email to the Department of Health


The Covid-19 Data Hub and Dashboards available at https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/ includes datasets, charts and maps that are updated on an on-going basis and in line with newly published data. Data in relation to COVID-19 confirmed cases at electoral division level are updated on a regular basis. However, you should note that care is required to ensure patient confidentiality is preserved and that no potential identification of individual patients arises. As a result, the data relating to confirmed cases by electoral division is not updated on as frequent a basis as the other data on the Data Hub.


Kind Regards


Covid-19 Response Team


An Roinn Sláinte

Department of Health