The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 1,120* confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

As of 8am today, 142 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 27 are in ICU.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “Almost 70% of our population is now fully vaccinated and today the vaccination programme has been extended to 12-15 year olds who will also be able to register for an mRNA vaccine.

“Following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, which has been approved by Government, I encourage parents and guardians of those aged 12-15 years of age to register them for a vaccination as soon as the opportunity arises.

“The vaccination programme has received high uptake to date. I strongly urge anyone eligible to register for a vaccine to do so as soon as possible.”  

Statement from Saolta Hospital Group – 27th July 2021

The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway has been extremely busy this week with higher than average numbers of people attending.

There is ongoing pressure on bed availability in the hospital and we regret that many patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to an acute bed in the hospital.

We ask people to contact their GP or the Westdoc Out Of Hours Service in the first instance if their health problem is not urgent.

We would also like to remind patients that the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.

We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority and apologise for the long wait times.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway now has the fourth highest COVID-19 incidence rate nationwide.

According to the latest health figures, the infection rate per 100,000 of population in the city and county now stands at 439.

With 1,134 cases of COVID-19 recorded in the city and county over the past two weeks, the incidence rate in Galway now stands at 439.

That’s a 40% increase on this time last week, when the infection rate stood at 256 – with 663 cases recorded over that two-week period.

Nationwide, Donegal has the highest incidence rate at 952, followed by Louth at 603, Laois at 454 and then Galway.

Meanwhile there are 16 patients being treated for COVID-19 in Galway hospitals today – with 12 at UHG and four at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Two of the patients are being treated in the intensive care unit at UHG.