Author name: oisinkelly

596 people were in hospital last night with Covid 19, 106 of them in ICU. There were 19 Covid patients in Letterkenny University Hospital, none of them in ICU. Professor Sam McConkey from the Royal College of Surgeons says while vaccines are protecting against serious disease, they’re not very effective at protecting against transmission………

A member of the Mica Action Group has described comments made about her in emails by a Department of Housing official as “disappointing”. Over the weekend the Independent published details of emails sent by department officials regarding Defective Block Working Group meetings – one such email was mistakenly sent to Mica campaigners in the Working

The Cabinet Sub Committee on Covid-19 will meet this evening to consider further actions aimed at addressing rising infection rates. The wider use of covid certs, antigen tests and a recommendation for people work from home where possible are among the measures set to be discussed. A full Cabinet meeting will then be held tomorrow

Donegal County Council is seeking funds to carry out safety works on the Windyhall Road in Letterkenny. The issue was raised at this month’s Letterkenny Milford Municipal District by Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who said realigning the more dangerous bends must be a priority. Officials told him it is on a priority list which was submitted

Sinn Fein’s chief whip in the Dail has described the UK Government and the DUP’s approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol as “reckless”. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn was reacting to recent threats made by the British Government that they would trigger Article 16 of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement – a move that could have serious

The Taoiseach says proposals on how to make Antigen testing more affordable, but not free, are due to come to cabinet this week. It comes after Pharmacists warned the expenses are low but could begin to add up quickly. During the week NPHET recommended those taking part in risky activities should take the tests twice

A public health expert says that anyone with a busy social calendar this festive season should take regular antigen tests. The call comes amid the recent elevated infection rates of the virus here, with 3,805 new confirmed cases in the latest figures from the Department of Health. Dr Paddy Mallon is an infectious diseases physician

The World Health Organisation is calling for countries to stop giving booster Covid vaccines to healthy people. Over-60s and healthcare workers in Ireland are continuing to receive third doses this weekend. But the WHO says boosters should only be given to immunocompromised people, because of a severe lack of vaccines currently available in developing countries.

The country’s 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 has exceeded 1,000 for the first time since late January. The national rate now stands at 1,037 cases per 100,000 people – with Leitrim, Louth and Westmeath the worst affected. The highest number of cases in over 10 months was reported yesterday, with 5,483 new cases reported. Trinity

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has appointed consultants to assess safety along the dual carriageway before Trimreagh between Letterkenny and Manorcunningham. The issue was raised at Letterkenny Milford Municipal District this week by Cllr Donal Coyle, who is asking the council to liaise with TII to secure a crash barrier at the spot. Officials have passed his

Listen to the Main Evening News, Sport Nuacht and Obituaries for Friday November 12th: 

  NPHET is recommending people who frequently go to nightclubs, bars or restaurants take an antigen test twice a week. The Chief Medical Officer has also asked the Government to consider extending the use of Covid-19 certs beyond the hospitality industry. The cabinet will consider their recommendations on Tuesday. Speaking in Galway this afternoon, Taoiseach

  A motion is to come before the Dail next week, calling for urgent support for Donegal’s Ambulance Service. Some ambulance staff are reportedly at burn out from long exhausting shifts while there’s also concern that there’s not enough personnel and resources. The Sinn Fein motion, if passed, would pave the way for a review

  Window visits’ will be making a return to nursing homes on Monday. Visitors must show proof of vaccination or recovery if they wish to visit a resident indoors under new HSE guidance. Sage Advocacy says residents should be given the choice to meet someone who is unvaccinated or not. Executive Director of the organisation

A former Assistant General Manager at Letterkenny University Hospital says it would be despicable and unforgivable if lessons were not learned from the Grace and Brandon cases. Backing calls for the publication of the Brandon Report on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Paddy Rooney said Irish people are very good at condemning the sins of

There are 549 patients with Covid in hospital today – an increase of nearly 20 per cent on this day last week. There have 76 admissions since yesterday, with 49 people have been discharged. Latest figures for Letterkenny University Hospital show a fall of two; there were 12 patients with Covid in the hospital last