Galway Bay fm newsroom – Young Galway climate action protestors will gather in the city tomorrow afternoon for a demonstration.

It’s part of the ‘Fridays for Future’ campaign – a worldwide movement of student led strikes to protest the lack of significant climate action by government.

The strike will take place in Eyre Square at 1.30pm.

The instigator of the world movement Greta Thunberg says ‘we can’t change the world by playing by the rules because the rules have to be changed’.

Catherine Mc Donagh is one of the local organisers and also a leaving cert student at Scoil Einne in An Spideal.

She told Galway Bay FM news, students have strong opinions on why they want to protect their environment and their future.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in finding Nicolas Couch, who is missing from the Athenry area

The 39 year old has been missing since Monday (sept 20)

Nicolas is described as being 6 feet 2 inches in height, of slim build and with blue eyes and greying hair.

When last seen, he was wearing dark jeans, a blue polo top and a black bomber jacket.

Gardaí and Nicolas’ family are concerned for his well-being.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí in Galway on 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 1,355* confirmed cases of COVID-19.

As of 8am today, 286 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 59 are in ICU.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said:

“Our ongoing analysis of the epidemiological situation has informed the NPHET recommendation to evolve public health management of school settings from Monday next.

“The resumption of in-person education was associated with a significant increase in the numbers of children referred for testing in recent weeks. This increase was driven by the screening of asymptomatic children who had been identified as close contacts. This action was precautionary and was due to the diligence of parents and guardians bringing their children for tests. Despite significantly increased testing in this age group, there has only been a relatively modest increase in the detection of cases. We have also seen the associated positivity rate decrease from 16% to 5% which is very reassuring.

“Both nationally and internationally, the evidence tells us that schools are a low risk setting for the transmission of COVID-19 among school-going children and, as such, now is the right time to evolve our contact tracing approach, while maintaining the infection prevention and control in place in educational settings.

“NPHET will continue to monitor the trajectory of the disease. It is important that we all continue to adhere to the public health guidance and to protect each other by washing our hands, the wearing of masks where appropriate and by keeping our distance from each other to limit the risk of the spread of COVID-19.

“I would urge parents to keep children who are unwell and who experience the common symptoms of COVID-19 home from school and to contact your GP if you have any concerns.”