Health services appealing to Mayo fans to remain vigilant as they cheer on team in All-Ireland final
Health Services across the west are urging all GAA fans and the wider public to support the Mayo senior footballers safely this weekend by following the guidelines aimed at stemming the spread of Covid-19.
While the entire western region is hoping to welcome Sam back to Mayo, communities are being urged to stay vigilant and keep up their guard.
A high rate of Covid-19 continues to circulate in the community and we are urging everyone attending household events, hospitality settings, and any indoor gathering to maintain social distancing, wear a face mask, wash your hands and limit social contact in well-ventilated spaces.
They are also urging the hospitality sector to protect their staff and customers by confirming valid certificates of their patrons, and to avoid crowding both indoors and outdoors.
Social settings and close contact within those facilitate infection, and continues to be a factor in community outbreaks in Mayo.
Over the past 14 days, 2,352 cases have been confirmed across the west (Galway 1,207, Mayo 731 and Roscommon 414).
The numbers highlight the ongoing concerns about Covid transmission in the community and we ask people to consider limiting their post-match social activity on Sunday evening.
The health services are appealing to people to sign up for a Covid-19 vaccination, as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise across the region.
Walk-in vaccination centres are open right around the region, including in Belmullet and Castlebar.
Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta University Health Care Group, has urged supporters and the wider public to keep up their guard:
He said: “While the All-Ireland final is raising all our spirits we must ensure that our celebrations don’t negatively impact on the ongoing fight against Covid 19.
"We can cheer on Mayo safely and celebrate Sam’s return. But most importantly, we can do this while still keeping others safe. Follow the guidelines and make this weekend’s final something we can all enjoy.”
Dr Pat Nash, Clinical Director, Saolta University Health Care Group, added: “We have been witnessing an increase in the number of Covid-positive patients in hospital in recent weeks and we are very concerned.
"“We are doing all we can to maintain scheduled care cases but we must keep Covid-19 hospitalisations low.
"We need the public’s help and support to do this by everyone continuing to adhere to public health advice and if not already done to get vaccinated.
"As Covid rises in the community it impacts our hospitals and challenges us to maintain timely non-Covid related patient care.”
Breda Crehan-Roche, Chief Officer, HSE Community Healthcare West, said: “Even though we have seen a fantastic response to the Covid-19 vaccination programme, it is important to bear in mind that this virus is still circulating at high levels in our community.
"We all need to follow public health guidelines, wear a mask in public places and keep two metres from people not in your household and present for a Covid-19 test if in any doubt."
The test centre at MacHale Park, Castlebar is open daily from 10:00-17:00 and Sat/Sun 10:00-16:00 (with current walk-in times from 10:00-13:00). You can self-refer yourself for a test via the HSE website at https://covid19test.healthservice.ie/hse-self-referral/.
Breda added: “Mayo football supporters have the most loyal supporters in the country, but I would urge everyone to also support their community by supporting their team in a responsible and safe manner.”