Letterkenny University Hospital is currently treating the highest number of patients with Covid-19 in the country.
The hospital is dealing with 72 infectious cases of Covid-19 with 2 patients in ICU.
There are a total of 1,004 patients with the virus being treated in hospitals. 82 people with the virus are in intensive care.
A man in his 30s has been arrested following the discovery of a suspected cannabis factory in Omagh.
£60,000 worth of suspected Class B drugs were seized by Police following a search of a property in the town on Friday.
The 32 year old was arrested on suspicion of several offences, including possession of a Class B controlled drug and possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply.
Police are continuing to appeal for information and are urging anyone who could assist with their investigation to contact them on the non-emergency number 101.
There’s been a 29% increase in the number of tests conducted By Gardai in Donegal for drink and drug driving.
According to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety’s annual report for 2020, 337 blood and urine specimens were taken by Gardai in the county, the third highest figure in the country, compared to 262 samples processed the previous year.
Across the country, there’s been a 23% increase in specimens received by the Bureau for intoxicant analysis with a 39% increase in samples forwarded for drug testing.
Professor Denis A. Cusack, Director of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety says despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the work of the Bureau increased substantially in 2020 and continued to operate at the same higher level into 2021.
The report shows cannabis to be the most prevalent drug detected in motorists while 25-34 year olds continue to contribute to the greatest percentage of drivers arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving.
The full report can be viewed here
NPHET’s set to consider whether mandatory vaccination should be introduced.
The Irish Times reports it’ll look at the measure after it receives details from the Department of Health on legal and ethical aspects of such a move.
Ireland has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe, with almost four million people vaccinated and more than two million having a booster.
Meanwhile the Irish Medical Organisation is expressing concern at the pressure Omicron’s putting on the health service.
Yesterday a further 21,384 new cases of covid 19 were confirmed, with 984 patients in hospital including 83 in ICU.
Chair of the IMO’s Public Health Committee, Anne Dee, says the numbers off sick are posing a huge challenge:
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Health and safety concerns have been raised over boardwalks in Donegal.
Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig is calling for safety audits to be carried out on boardwalks across the county.
He claims the wooden structure on some boardwalks has deteriorated in recent times.
Cllr MacGiolla Easbuig says urgent checks are required on a county-wide scale, to avoid any potential injury being caused:
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Visitors are advised to regularly self-test for Covid-19 before entering nursing homes.
It’s part of new HSE recommendations which take effect today.
Sage Advocacy’s warning these new HSE guidelines may lead to further uncertainty and inconsistency around visiting arrangements at some nursing homes.
The national organisation says further clarification around the new self-testing for Covid-19 regime would be welcome for residents and their families.
The HSE’s latest guidance, which will come into effect today, states regular visitors should consider self-testing for COVID-19 twice weekly, even when they have no symptoms.
It also states occasional visitors should be advised to consider self- testing before their visit even if they have no symptoms.
Sage Advocacy is alarmed that some nursing home providers may be denying residents the right to visitors.
Gardai in Donegal are urging motorists to make responsible road safety decisions a resolution for 2022.
They say it appears the same type of road traffic related offences are continuing on the roads.
It’s after two motorists were arrested on suspicion of drink driving in the county over the weekend.
On Saturday night, the arrests were made by the Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit with assistance from Gardaí from Ballybofey.
Meanwhile, a driver was caught speeding at almost 120km/h in an 80km/h zone in Burnfoot yesterday.
Buncrana Roads Policing Unit detected the motorist while conducting speed checks. A Fixed Charge Penalty Notice was issued.
A Letterkenny Councillor has called upon Donegal County Council to draw up a comprehensive timeframe plan to tackle the housing demands in Letterkenny as a result of the Mica crisis.
Councillor Gerry McMonagle will be bringing the motion before tomorrow’s sitting of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District.
He’s urging the local authority to look outside its own resources and plans to try and find a solution, both for the short and long term:
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Track and Field returned for the first time this year for Donegal athletes with events in both Dublin and Glasgow.
The action in Dublin was the National League where Gavin McLaughlin got his Shot Putt season started with a win, throwing 16.51 metres meaning he had three metres to spare above the rest of the field.
Riona Doherty claimed victory in the 60 metre Hurdles for under 17’s in a time of 9.02 at the Scottish Open.
Whilst, in the under 15, High Jump, Mark Wilkinson finished in third and set a new Personal Best of 1.48 metres.
Athletics correspondent Patsy McGonagle has the wrap…
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North West Intermediate Cup
Derry City 2 V 3 Maiden City
Strabane Athletic 6 V 0 Letterkenny Rovers
Newtowne 3 V 4 Cockhill Celtic
Bonagee United 3 V 1 Trojans
