More calls for an all-island approach to tackle Covid

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More calls were made in Donegal today for an all-island approach to tackle Covid-19 as the possibility of restrictions being lifted in the north looms.

Donegal has the highest incidence of the virus in the south, and the eastern part of the county is suffering the brunt. The further west you go in the county, the fewer virus cases there will be.

The latest figures show that the incidence of Covid-19 in Donegal has fallen by just 6.3% since the Level 5 restrictions were introduced three weeks ago.

The national average reduction has been eight times faster, and the incidence of the disease in five days fell by 70% during the last three weeks.

Doctors say the difference from other border counties like Monaghan is that East Donegal is right next to a part of Northern Ireland where cases are not declining at the same rate as other areas.

The case numbers in Donegal have put pressure on Letterkenny University Hospital, which is currently dealing with an outbreak.

Sean Murphy, the hospital’s general manager, said they are managing the outbreak by moving staff from other areas, but this has meant they have to cut elective surgery by about 50%.

However, it emphasizes that the hospital is open and safe to get to, so if someone has an appointment they should attend, unless they have symptoms of Covid-19.

Compromise agreement reached on NI virus restrictions

There is constant movement across the border in East Donegal, between towns like Lifford and Strabane in Tyrone, which are divided only by a river.

There is round-trip traffic throughout the day for work, school and shopping, and the concern is that if restrictions are lifted in Northern Ireland, people will be tempted to make more trips to visit retail stores and others. premises that have reopened there.

Tom Murray runs two pharmacies in Ramelton and Castlefinn, and is seeing first-hand the impact of the coronavirus in the county and said that we must have an all-island policy on Covid-19.

The Chief Medical Officers of the Republic and the North believe that the island should work together as one, he said, saying that he would “implore the Assembly of the North and the Government of the South to make it possible.”

His views were echoed by people in Lifford today who highlighted the reality of cross-border movement for daily life, but who felt that authorities on both sides of the border should be singing the same hymn sheet.

Dr. Tony Holohan has said there is still time for “significant improvements” in Donegal before a decision is made on restrictions in that county or across the country.

At today’s HSE briefing, Clinical Director Dr. Colm Henry appealed to the people of Donegal to redouble their efforts to combat the virus for the good of themselves, their hospital, vulnerable groups and nursing homes.

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