The five day COVID-19 case average in Galway is reducing but is still significantly higher than neigbouring counties in the West.

Galway’s 5-day average stands at 39, while Mayo has a rate of 17 and Roscommon has a rate of 7.

The 14 day infection rate in Galway stands at 258, while the rate in Mayo stands at 232 and 114 in Roscommon.

Director of Public Health for the HSE West Dr. Breda Smyth says the rollout of vaccines and the gradual reopening of schools is providing some much needed hope.

However she has appealed to parents across the city and county not to congregate at school gates at drop off or collection and to wear a face covering.

Dr. Smyth says restrictions cannot be eased further until daily case numbers in Galway and other counties are reducing further – to hear more, tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The low number of people being treated for Covid-19 at Galway’s public hospitals has remained stable in recent days.

There are currently 12 people being treated at UHG, of whom 5 are in the ICU.

While at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, there are 6 patients being treated for the virus, with a single patient in ICU.

The figure for UHG is 50 percent lower than this day last week, while the figure for Portiuncula is a very slight increase of 2 patients.

It comes as nationally, the number of patients across the hospital system with Covid-19 has fallen below 500 for the first time in 2021.

Professor Philip Nolan, who chairs NPHET’s modelling group, says key indicators show Ireland’s coming to the end of this period of the pandemic.

But he says while our numbers are moving in the right direction, progress is slow…

To hear more, tune into Galway Bay fm news…

Galway Bay fm newsroom – There’s been a very slight drop in the number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment across Galway.

25,082 people will claim the payment today – a drop of over 200 people compared to this day last week.

Nationally, almost 469 thousand people will receive the PUP payment this week, a drop of 4,500 on last week.

All employment sectors – except Electrical/Gas/Water Supply – have seen fewer people claim the payment this week.

While Accommodation and Food Service Activities remains the most supported sector, with 110 thousand people across the country receiving the PUP.

Overall, €140m will be paid into bank accounts today