Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 1,392* confirmed cases of COVID-19.

As of 8am today, 288 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 73 are in ICU.

The five day moving average is 1,311.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Three areas in Galway currently have a Covid-19 incidence rate above the national average of 413 cases per 100 thousand people.

The highest figure is Galway City East at 541, followed by Connemara North at 459 and Tuam at 458.

Galway City Central is just below the national average at 401, while Galway City West now stands at 363 cases per 100 thousand.

Elsewhere, the figure for Gort Kinvara is 323, Athenry-Oranmore is 247, Connemara South is 239, Ballinasloe is 192, and Loughrea is 185.

Nationally, the Monaghan local area has the highest figure nationwide – with an incidence rate of 1,255 cases per 100 thousand people.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – An Bord Pleanála has granted approval for 345 build-to-rent apartments at Crown Square in Mervue.

The development is led by crown Square Developments Ltd and would be located at Monivea Road and Joyces Road.

The development consists of several blocks of varying heights – the tallest buildings will have ten floors and stand 30 metres above ground level at Monivea Road.

The project includes 240 two-bed units, 86 single-bed units, and 19 three-bed units.

Also in the plans is a commercial scheme which will feature retail and pharmacy units, a fitness and leisure centre, a primary care medical centre and a creche.

Access and parking arrangements for the proposed housing would be integrated with the office and hotel development authorised on the western part of the site, which’ll also have parking space for 1,200 bicycles.

An Bord Pleanála has now approved the plans with 19 conditions attached.