Omicron-related staff absence is predicted to create havoc across NHS


OMICRON-related staff absence could impact the Fermanagh’s health and social care system over the coming weeks according to medical directors. The startling impact of the Omicron variant seen Fermanagh Covid cases jump significantly this week. In the seven days between December 10 to 16, positive cases in the Fermanagh and Omagh area were at 744, […]


‘Don’t delay any further, get Covid booster now’ urges health expert


“Don’t wait any longer for your booster,” the head of Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme has urged. Patricia Donnelly said people can get their all-important booster doses at a number of vaccination clinics running this week. She also emphasised that vaccine first doses for everyone aged 12 and over continue to be available at Health Trust […]


Public urged to use Covid-19 testing only when needed


THE Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging members of the public to only book PCR tests when necessary. The call comes as record numbers of people have been tested this week with over 21,000 tests were done on Monday 27 December. The agency has also put in place new PCR testing protocols to help protect […]


Councillor Greene hits out at return to online learning


QUEEN’S University Belfast (QUB), recently announced a return to online learning for the month of January 2022, with concerns that the majority of lectures, tutorials and seminars online will be extended into the new year. While many students across Fermanagh remain confused and certainly overwhelmed as to how this could yet again impact their studies and […]


Lough Erne Resort announces temporary closure


THE Lough Erne Resort here in Fermanagh has announced that it will temporarily close as part of a “voluntary” circuit breaker due to the increase of Covid cases across the area. In a bid to keep staff and customers safe, the popular resort will close until January 5 (next Wednesday). The Lough Erne will be […]


Swann announces roll-out of new COVID treatments for high risk patients


HEALTH Minister Robin Swann has announced the roll-out of new and effective treatments for COVID-19 patients who are most at risk of serious illness. The treatments, previously only available to hospitalised patients, are now authorised for use in non-hospitalised patients to reduce the risk of severe illness and death. The use of these novel drug […]


Number of Covid patients at SWAH drops


WHILE the number of Covid patients at SWAH has fallen dramatically in recent times, the numbers attending the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) with serious illnesses has increased. Assistant director of emergency care at the Western Trust, Mark Gillespie, has said while the hospital remains “challenged daily”, with the severity of patients presenting to the SWAH […]


Fermanagh Covid cases stagnate over the week


THE number of Fermanagh Covid cases remains high this week, as the Western Trust prepares to host a vaccine and booster blitz in Enniskillen in a bid to tackle the stubborn spread of the virus. In fact, across the four local postcode areas, there were exactly the same number of positive cases in Fermanagh this […]