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In the first three weeks of October, Wexford recorded more positive Covid-19 cases than in the previous seven months combined.
The model county had lived up to its name, keeping the infection rate low, even as vacationers flocked to the sunny Southeast once closure restrictions were lifted.
A GP based in Gorey, a city with one of the highest incidence rates in Ireland, described the increase in cases as a result of “the perfect storm” of events.
For Dr. Peter Harrington, the response to the pandemic has been “a bit Irish” in the way we’ve gone from being very scared to not being scared enough.
In treating suspected cases first-hand, Dr. Harrington said he is “shocked” by the number of people who continue to go to work or visit relatives, despite showing symptoms of the virus.
“I’ve had people come into my office on a Thursday complaining of a sore throat or a slight fever, and when I ask them when they first had symptoms, they might tell me on Monday.
“I can’t believe it when they later reveal to me that they went to work or their local store in the meantime. In 2020, you won’t go to work or visit your friends if you wake up with a sore throat. Suppose it’s Covid, stay in your room, see if symptoms persist and if they do, schedule a test. ”
On a recent visit to a nursing home to provide residents with the flu vaccine, he said he was “incredibly impressed” by their attitude toward health and safety.
The nursing home in question had been “ultra careful” and managed to escape without any infection, until two weeks ago.
A staff member who was asymptomatic tested positive and there was subsequently an outbreak of more than 20 cases among residents.
“It is a measure of how contagious this virus is, that even when people are being super cautious, it can attack. If you have symptoms or concerns of being around someone with Covid, you need to isolate yourself from family and the workplace.”
Dr. Harrington criticized some “reckless” behavior in the county in recent weeks.
The increase in cases and the return of the GAA was not entirely a coincidence, he said.
“We had two big GAA events that seem to have accelerated the increase in cases here. I think a certain level of fatigue has set in and people have stopped listening. We have a very different group of people getting sick this time. Now it is an epidemic among the young.
“There has been the return of the GAA, the students went back to college, an increase in tourism in North County, and then also the collapse of the contact tracing system. It has been the perfect storm.
On October 4, Castletown Liam Mellows played Starlights in the senior county football final.
Even though Castletown lost by two points, that didn’t quench the thirst for pints after the game.
The club president confirmed that several positive cases in the area were linked to the county finals, but declined to comment on reports of a post-game meeting.
Castletown, which is located just outside of Gorey, subsequently shut down all GAA activities in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus in the area.
Fianna Fáil Councilor Joe Sullivan, who was at the game, confirmed that he tested positive for Covid. He wasn’t sure if he picked it up at the game and said it would be “unfair to speculate.”
Wexford GAA Chairman Derek Kent criticized the antics that followed certain club games as “deplorable.” He said that the actions of some adults compromised the championship games for underage players.
As Gorey battles the surge in cases, Dr. Harrington said The Palms GP surgery is under “severe stress.”
“We are the busiest we’ve been in my 30 years in practice,” he said. “I am very afraid for the winter.”
Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne said it is important for people to remember the basics. He described the recent spike in cases as disappointing, as the county had been doing “so well.”
“This just shows the danger of lowering your guard, and I think that’s what happened.
“I can totally understand people who want to go out and have fun, but it seems clear that this is how the virus spreads very quickly.
“I think that instead of telling people what they can’t do, we have to tell them what they can. And now that people support local businesses it’s important, remember to wash your hands and social distance.
“We need to reinforce a positive message.”
The HSE established a rapid testing center in Ferns in response to the worrying increase.
More than 1,000 tests have been conducted since the facility opened on October 12.
Wexford reported 451 new cases between October 8 and October 22, more than the previous seven months combined.
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