Covid 19 / Coronavirus

If Stormont wants save the social fabric of NI and save jobs, it is going to have to sacrifice the funds set aside for its pet projects and focus on what is needed for preserving our way of life…

Patrick Murdock on March 16, 2020, 11:04 am

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As the Covid-19 Pandemic continues to spread and government measures to contain the virus are rolled out, it is becoming clear that many businesses in NI will not make it through this crisis in particular SME’s and businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors. The difficulties in trading in NI are well documented as business struggle with the highest levels of local taxation in the world through the ridiculous business rates system we have here and the literally endless red …

Schools closed for 4 months?, Pensioners to be confined to their homes? The latest in the battle against Covid-19…

Brian O'Neill on March 15, 2020, 8:58 am

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I am sure I am not the only parent who got a shiver down their spine when they head the news that Arlene Foster says the schools might be closed for 4 months. It is bad enough trying to keep them entertained during the weekend never mind for 4 months. The problem I see with this strategy is who normally minds the kids when they are off school? The Grandparents – exactly the people we are most concerned about. If …

How poor handwashing is increasing the spread of Coronavirus…

Ulster University on March 12, 2020, 12:15 pm

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Aaron Lawson is Environmental Health Researcher and Teaching Fellow at Ulster University. You can follow him on Twitter. Handwashing is one of the most important factors in preventing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other diseases. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak which originated in Wuhan, China has now spread to more than 40 countries, and infected more than 80,000 people worldwide. It has also caused a number of deaths, mainly amongst those living and working at the centre of the outbreak, …

Ireland to ‘shut down’ from 6pm tonight to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Will Northern Ireland follow?

Brian O'Neill on March 12, 2020, 12:04 pm

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RTÉ News reports on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pulling out all the stops to halt the spread of Covid-19 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the country’s schools, colleges and childcare facilities are to close in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. From 6pm today, schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close. In relation to cultural institutions, indoor gatherings of more than 100 people will not be permitted and a maximum outdoor gathering of 500 people will be allowed. The restrictions will stay in …

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales rank amongst the lowest countries in the developed world for the number of intensive care beds

Peter Donaghy (Salmon of Data) on March 4, 2020, 5:39 pm

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The response to the Covid-19 coronavirus has raised questions regarding the capability of health systems to deal with an influx of patients requiring intensive care. It is estimated that one in seven of those who get Covid-19 will require hospital treatment, and out of those one in five will require ICU care. A widespread outbreak of Covid-19 would therefore put an unprecedented strain on intensive care facilities across the world. The chart above shows the number of ICU beds per …

An expert view on Covid 19, the new Coronavirus…

Soapbox on March 4, 2020, 7:12 am

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The majority of experts internationally believe that Covid 19 will continue to be transmitted and countries will see outbreaks. What isn’t known is when and how it will evolve in different regions, and how other factors such as climate may influence the outbreak. Information is coming out from China at a rapid rate and we are fortunate to benefit from studies and research undertaken by the Chinese health authorities. They are to be commended for their rapid response and sharing …