A number of public gatherings have been cancelled.jpg

List of cancelled events grows

As Minister for Health, Simon Harris, announces that "more restrictions", including the potential widespread closure of schools, may be needed if Ireland is to successfully overcome the coronavirus outbreak the Anglo Celt is updating you on a number of events that are postponed or cancelled across County Cavan.

The most obvious casualties of the increased risk to public health are the St Patrick's Day parades. The organisers of St Patrick's Day parades in Cavan Town, Bailieborough, Ballyjamesduff, Ballinagh, Ballyconnell, Cootehill, Kilnaleck, Killeshandra, Kingscourt and Swanlinbar all officially confirmed that the parades have all been called off.

Other event that have fallen victim to COVID 19 include the launch of a new Dreamscape Trail on Belturbet’s Turbet Island (Tuesday, March 17), curated by Ballyhaise artists Jacqui O'Neill, the hugely popular Cavan Night Run (Saturday, March 14) which has been postponed to an as yet undefined date, a public meeting scheduled to take place for Friday evening (March 13) by campaigning for a permanent memorial in respect of the victims of the 1943 Cavan Orphanage fire.

Daffodil Day collections on March 27 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society have also been cancelled nationwide. The Granard Easter Festival has also been cancelled by the organisers.

The Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive of Cavan County Council have cancelled their trip to the United States for Saint Patrick’s Day because of the coronavirus. Councillor Shane P O’Reilly and CEO Tommy Ryan were due to travel to New York and Philadelphia this week.

All cancellations are measured responses to protect public health. Around 80% of cases of Covid-19 will be a mild to moderate illness, close to 14% have severe disease and around 6% are critical.

Medical advice suggests that it takes 15 minutes or more exposure in the vicinity of an infected person, within 1-2 metres, to be considered at-risk or a close contact.

The latest figures show that more than 66,500 people have recovered from Covid-19, or 94% of resolved cases. There have been around 4,300 deaths (around 6% of cases).