Doctors urge Cork people to ‘double down’ their efforts as Covid cases rise

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Cork doctors are urging people to double down on public health guidelines as Covid-19 cases rise in the region.

Four separate facilities in Cork City confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, with a Penneys in Wilton employee testing positive for the virus, Care Choice confirmed a ‘Covid incidence’ at their Montenotte nursing home, and two high schools. reported cases.

Care Choice identified a Covid-19 case after “proactive testing.” The home is communicating with the HSE and said it continues to take care of residents and staff to the best of its ability.

Meanwhile, an employee at the Penneys store in Wilton in the western suburbs of Cork City also confirmed a positive case of the virus. The retailer initiated a detailed contingency procedure, should any other employee test positive.

They say that they have contacted the health authorities and a deep cleaning of the premises was carried out.

On the south side of the city, Douglas Community School confirmed two cases of Covid-19. A letter sent to parents indicated that the transmission link was identified outside of school. The two cases are related and a public health risk assessment has been carried out.

Parents of Coachford College students received a text message from the principal this afternoon informing them that a case had been confirmed at the school.

When news of the different cases emerged, it was confirmed that the special response groups that have been established throughout the city of Cork to help people during the lockdown are ready to reactivate if the Covid-19 situation worsens.

The quiet came during a meeting of the Cork City Joint Watch Committee (JPC).

Dr Corinna Sadlier, Cork University Hospital Infectious Diseases Consultant, said there have been nine, 21 and 36 confirmed cases in Cork on consecutive days.

Community transmission is evident, he said, with a “silent reservoir of virus circulating seeking to jump from person to person.”

In a tweet, he said that the cases “are already seeded for next week,” but added: “Beyond that, it’s in our hands.”

Bons Secours pediatric specialist in Cork, Dr. Niamh Lynch, said the most recent numbers from Cork were seen in Dublin about three weeks ago, warning that what we do this week will unfold over two weekends.

The city’s JPC was told that the Community Response Forum, which was established in late March to focus on vulnerable individuals and families during the shutdown, is prepared and ready to reactivate community response groups in 16 areas of the city and the suburbs.

The interagency forum was formed with representatives from more than 30 organizations, including the city council, gardaí, HSE, Civil Defense, Order of Malta, Red Cross, and local sports and community groups.

A hotline, manned by city hall staff, was set up to answer and then relay calls for help to local groups, who in turn responded to whatever was needed, including delivering groceries, collecting medicine, taking out people to medical appointments, collect pensions, and even arrange minor home and appliance repairs.

The hotline handled 4,439 calls between March and September, going from 29 calls in March to 1,597 in April and more than 1,100 calls in both May and June, before dropping to 161 in July and 79 in August.

Denis Barrett of the Cork City Community Response Forum said three key issues emerged during the shutdown:

  • Food poverty and food distribution;
  • The need for youth activity and a youth-centered response;
  • And the need to bridge the digital divide in various communities.

He said the key to the success of the community response was having flexible and responsive local teams using local grassroots knowledge, all supported by various state agencies.

He said the forum is currently meeting monthly, but is ready to reactivate community response groups if Covid-19 numbers worsen and restrictions tighten.



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