ABSTRACT
Event venues represent a focal point for infectious disease transmission among attendees and event stakeholders, creating lasting uncertainty within the industry post-COVID-19. There is now a need to investigate emerging venue considerations for the event industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Ireland as a case, a quantitative questionnaire was used on a sample of event managers. Event venue monitoring for COVID-19 is lacking, while risk mitigation procedures focus more on attendees already at the venue rather than avoiding infected persons entering the venue. Risk assessments now comprise COVID-19 risk;however, a lack of resources means regular health and safety has shown signs of weakening. Government and local authority resources and financial support are required. Pre-venue procedures of symptom screening and proof of vaccination, combined with venue procedures for disinfection of venue spaces, table service, and appropriate ventilation have proven to be effective COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures. Additionally, ICT (information and communications technology) could disseminate up-to-date health guidelines through customer-centric digital environments representing enhanced information sharing to avoid uncertainty and support pro-social intentions of event attendees and compliance with event venue COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures.
ABSTRACT
In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the safety of health care services remains a serious, ongoing challenge. This once-in-a-century global health crisis exposed the vulnerability of healthcare delivery systems and the subsequent risks of patient harm. Given the scale of the occurrence and costs of preventable patient safety events, intervention and investment are still relatively modest. Good patient safety governance focuses on what leaders and policy makers can do to improve system performance and reduce the financial burden of avoidable care. Moreover, it is essential in driving progress in improving safety outcomes. This report examines how patient safety governance mechanisms in OECD countries have withstood the test of COVID-19 and provides recommendations for countries in further improving patient safety governance and strengthening health system resilience.
ABSTRACT
Consisting of seven articles, this special issue explores farmer wellbeing in the context of global agricultural transitions, which are demanding new ways of farming (e.g., digitalisation, net zero, economic restructuring), and in light of shock events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in four countries: Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. In exploring the impacts of future shock events and agricultural transitions on wellbeing, the issue concludes with a call to move beyond broad compilations of stressors and interventions and towards nuanced investigations of why and how poor farmer wellbeing occurs and how it can be best supported in specific contexts. The research from these four countries has wide relevance across European countries (similarity in farming systems, noting some differences), but a key message from the issue is that stressors on farmer wellbeing can be highly context-dependent according to place-based social, environmental, economic and political issues.
ABSTRACT
Despite its potential utility for the outdoor recreation sector, there is no centralised surveillance system for recreational walking trails in Ireland and thus trail usage in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. This paper aims to report trends in football count data on Irish trails during the COVID-19 period and to triangulate findings with openly available mobility data. This descriptive study analysed changes in footfall counts gathered from passive infrared sensors on 33 of Ireland's recreational walking trails between January 2019 and December 2020. The relationship between Google Community Mobility Report (GCMR) data and footfall counts was analysed to corroborate trends in footfall data. Total footfall increased by 6% between 2019 and 2020 on trails included in this analysis. Notably, mean trail usage was between 26% and 47% higher in October-December 2020 than during the same period in 2019. A strong correlation between GCMR data from 'parks' and footfall count data was found. The conclusions of this study are twofold. Firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic increased trail usage in Ireland, especially on trails closer to urban areas and there is potential for this to be a lasting legacy. Secondly, combining multiple data sources can provide trail managers with more detailed representations of trail usage and currently these are not harmonised. Future research should examine ways to encourage sustained recreational walking trail use in new users and implement novel ways to coordinate datasets across systems to monitor visitors on Irish recreational walking trails.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that access to timely health spending data is crucial for informed policy-making. This Health Working Paper summarises and compares the methodologies applied in around half of OECD countries to estimate public and private health spending for the most recent year (i.e. t-1) as well as the approaches taken by the OECD Secretariat to fill existing data gaps for the remaining OECD countries. For the first time, the paper also explores the feasibility of nowcasting health spending for the current year (i.e. t) and examines data sources that could be potentially useful in such an exercise. While this review should help OECD countries that do not yet have experience in estimating health spending for year t-1 to improve the timeliness in their data reporting, a special focus in this paper lies on testing the applicability of the methods in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), using the WHO Western Pacific Region (WPRO) as an example. Generally, different data sources exist in many countries that would allow for a more timely estimation for health spending aggregates.
ABSTRACT
Farming occupations are, in the Global North, generally solitary, and a growing body of research identifies this as one of the factors that underpins low levels of wellbeing and poor mental health amongst farmers. The primary public health response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic focused on reducing transmission of the virus by limiting interactions of people. This article seeks to assess the impact of these restrictions on farmer's experience of isolation and how it shaped their wellbeing. Applying a broad socio-ecological framework, we analyse change, continuity and shifts in social and economic relations and their spatial reconfiguration during the COVID-19 pandemic as recounted in semi-structured, qualitative interviews. We found that while COVID-19 has disrupted socio-spatial relations, including key sites of socialisation for farmers and rural communities, occupational isolation was viewed as a positive feature of farming as was working in nature. Familial and informal networks of support were important throughout the pandemic, while novel engagements with communication technologies facilitated both change and continuity of social and economic interaction. Whilst these findings are broadly positive, the reconfiguration of, particularly, economic relations is viewed as accelerating the turn towards service delivery using technology and, consequently, further reducing opportunities for social interaction.
ABSTRACT
Aim: Fragility hip fracture patients have always been vulnerable to high rates of short term mortality, an issue that may have been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To date, published data regarding Irish hip fracture patients in the era of COVID-19 is limited. This study aims to assess the effect of COVID-19 on 30-day mortality rates amongst a group of Irish hip fracture patients. Additionally, patient demographics, length of stay, admission haematological parameters, fracture type and surgical procedure will be assessed. Methods: A multicentre, observational, retrospective study of hip fracture patients (n = 1,017) admitted to six Dublin teaching hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic (4th February to 9th July 2020) was performed. For comparative purposes, equivalent data was retrospectively collected relating to hip fracture patients admitted to the same six teaching hospitals during the same time period in 2019. Results: 481 patients were admitted during the specified timeframe in 2020, compared with 536 in 2019. The mean patient age was 77.6 years and 65.9% of patients were female. There was no statistically significant overall difference in 30-day mortality rates between the study and control groups, at 5.4% in 2020 and 4.3% in 2019 (p=0.338). There was an insignificant decrease in mean length of stay (17.85 days in 2020 vs. 18.82 days in 2019;p=0.106). Advancing age (p=0.021), male gender (p=0.019), low admission haemoglobin (p=0.024) and high admission white cell count (p=0.019) were all associated with increased 30-day mortality. Conclusion: We found no significant difference in 30-day mortality rates amongst our cohort of hip fracture patients at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. Advancing age, male gender, anaemia at admission and leucocytosis at admission were associated with increased 30-day mortality. The continuation of COVID-19 related safety protocols in the treatment of hip fracture patients is essential in maintaining a safe hip fracture service.
ABSTRACT
This proceedings contains 7 articles that focus on the various issues related to nutrition and health concerning urban food policies. The symposium includes s on several topics, such as the regulation of food advertising, the relationship between the urban foodscape, diet, and health outcomes, the interpretation of observational studies, and the impact of obesity and diet on brain structure and function. Additionally, the issue features meeting reports on plant-rich dietary patterns and their impact on health. Two errata address food insecurity among third-level students in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic and a meeting report on plant-rich dietary patterns and health.
ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 was first identified in humans in December 2019 and has since affected almost 68 million people causing over 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Animal-to-human and animal-to-animal transmission has been documented within farmed minks in several countries. SARS-CoV-2 has been identified in a farmed mink population in a number of countries. Some of the affected farms reported also workers SARS-CoV-2 infection and it is hypothesized that the mink farms were infected through human-mink transmission proving SARS-CoV-2 capability of reverse zoonosis. This Tripartite Risk Assessment, as a joint effort under the GLEWS+ initiative, completed with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), evaluates the risk of introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 within fur farming systems as well as whether farmed fur animals could play a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to humans via spillover. Additionally, using a One Health approach, the Tripartite evaluated the risk of the escaped minks leading to the establishment of a viral reservoir in susceptible wildlife populations. This work provides guidance to Members on this newly emerging threat.
ABSTRACT
Aim Emergency Departments (EDs) were impacted early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with high attendance numbers. EDs relied upon SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests to triage patients and facilitate admission to appropriate wards, meaning positive patients were isolated as early as possible. In October 2020, we introduced a 24-hour SARS-CoV-2 testing service. We examined the impact of this on patient experience times (PETs) in the ED, and on healthcare-associated (HA) COVID-19 infections. Methods Data on PETs before and after the introduction of 24-hour testing were available from the ED. HA COVID-19 infections were reported weekly to the Health Services Executive as a key performance indicator. Results Mean PET prior to the pandemic was 20 hours and dropped to 10 and 13 hours respectively in the first and second wave. A surge in case numbers and ED attendances during the third wave was not reflected in a rise in PETs, with a mean PET of 11 hours, significantly below pre-pandemic levels. HA-COVID-19 infections remained stable between wave one and three (83 v 92). Conclusion The introduction of 24-hour SARS-CoV-2 testing in our ED contributed to a reduction in PETs, facilitated appropriate patient placement at ward level, and kept HA-COVID-19 infections at acceptably low levels.
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This journal issue includes 48 articles that discuss development and validation of a novel quality assessment tool to measure the quality of nutrition information online;longitudinal association between takeaway food environment and secondary school adolescents BMI and body fat percentage;dietary practices, beliefs, and behaviours among adults with inflammatory bowel disease;postpartum depression in Irish mothers and associations with infant feeding practices;the impact of dietary saturated fat replacement with unsaturated fat on the plasma lipidome and cardiometabolic disease risk;ole of brain serotonin in age-related decline in physical activity in mice;ey stakeholder perceptions of food allergies within the airline industry;sleep quality of higher education students during COVID-19 and its association with diet quality and lifestyle behaviours.
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This article discusses the important aspects of the Return to Work Safely Protocol in Ireland, including risk assessment, communication, cooperation, cleaning, disinfection, remote working, dealing with suspected cases and other safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
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This special issue contains 14 papers from the AEEMA Meeting focusing on the theme entitled "What changes for the management of animals' health crises". Topics of papers include: the management of animals' health crises and introduction to the meeting;evolution of societies perception and social acceptability of sanitary control measures;evolution of the health governance: to adapt the French health system to the new challenge;new challenges for risk management of animal health;evolution of preparedness for the management of animal disease crisis;feedback from the fipronil crisis;towards bovine tuberculosis eradication in Republic of Ireland, including European badgers' vaccination (a review);management of foot-and-mouth disease in Mauritius and Rodrigues: a vaccine strategy for eradication;health and biodiversity during anthropocene;Covid-19 and wild animals;Covid-19 and companion animals;Covid-19 and farmed animals;Covid-19 and laboratory animals;and Preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animals to human beings.
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infection is characterized by several malfunctions, including severe pulmonary disorders. Other metabolic consequences of SARS-CoV-2-infection have not been clearly defined. The present study assessed the status of blood gases, calcium metabolism, and electrolytes in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. One hundred and thirty-four newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients (age ranged 65-82 years) attendingMullingar Regional Hospital, Republic of Ireland, participated in this study. They all had pulmonary disorders, pyrexia, body pains, etc. SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in all patients using the RT-PCR molecular test method. The data of another 121 plasma samples of apparently normal, non-SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals taken before the emergence of Covid-19 served as controls. Levels of partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), saturated oxygen (SatO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), and ionized calcium (Ca2+) were determined in all participants using the potentiometric method in RAPIDPOINT 500 Blood Gases System. Plasma vitamin-D was determined by immune enzymatically technique using DXi 800 Access Immunoassay System. Total calcium, phosphate, albumin, magnesium, and electrolytes were determined by the photometric method using Beckman Au680- Chemistry Analyzer. The results showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of pCO2 and HCO3- in COVID-19-patients compared to controls. Significantly(p < 0.05) lower levels of pO2, SatO2, pH, K+, albumin, total-calcium, Ca2+, magnesium, and vitamin-D were observed in COVID-19 patients compared to controls. Corrected calcium, PO4-, Na+, and Cl- levels did not show significant (p>0.05) changes in the COVID-19-patients compared to controls. Abnormal blood gases, acidosis, hypomagnesaemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypovitaminosis D and calcium metabolic disorders could be features of COVID-19-disease.
ABSTRACT
This paper is a reflection of the development of a Food Tourism module over the last 5 years in TU Dublin with particular focus on the impact of COVID on pedagological strategies. The module emerged as a reaction to an environment in which tourism, and food tourism, was being identified as increasingly important and on the program team there was a desire to provide students with different perspectives of food. A key element of the module is interaction with industry, via guest lectures, case studies and a field trip. COVID-19 had a significant impact as teaching and learning pivoted online. As teaching now returns to the classroom we reflect that the experiences of COVID-19 have made the module more accessible and international.
ABSTRACT
The patho-physiology of COVID19 is still not clear. This study investigated the status of coagulation, LDH activity, and inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. One hundred and thirty-four newly diagnosed COVID19 infected patients (age ranged 65-82 years) attending Mullingar Regional Hospital, Mullingar, Republic of Ireland, volunteered to participate in this study. They all presented with a pulmonary disorder, pyrexia, vomiting, body pains, etc. SARS-CoV-2 confirmatory test was done with RT-PCR molecular test using Cepheid Genexpert System. The data of another 121 plasma samples of apparently normal, non-COVID19 infected individuals taken before the emergence of COVID19 served as controls. Levels of blood platelets was determined in the participants using Siemen ADVIA 2120 Haematological System, and plasma D-dimer was determined in the participants using Star Max-Stago-Automatic Coagulation Analyzer LDH activity, plasma ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in the participants using Beckman AU680-Chemistry Analyser. SARS-CoV-2 -infected patients showed significantly (p< 0.001) higher levels of D-dimer (1522.95+1395.45 ng/ml), CRP (125.3+116.4 mg/l), ferritin (488.5+514.9pg/l), and LDH activity (574.4+446.7iu/l) compared to controls (78.8+18.1 ng/ml, 2.4+1.7 mg/l, 61.3+58.2pg/l, 304.1+76.6iu/l respectively). The blood platelet count did not show significant (p>0.05) change in the COVID19 patients (252.2 x 109+101 x 109) compared to controls (256.4 x 109+63.2 x 109). Elevated LDH activity could indicate tissue breakdown in the SARS-Cov-2 infected patients. Hyper-coagulation and inflammation are imminent in the COVID19 patients. Adjuvant anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory therapies may be useful as part of therapeutic regimen in the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.
ABSTRACT
As aquatic programs re-open and/or expand as COVID restrictions lift, avoiding virus transmission is a top health and safety concern. This article presents options for safe social distancing for professionals and participants during teaching of swim lessons, coaching sessions, and aquatic exercise classes. Emphasis is on practical, session-to-session issues. Suggestions are applicable to all ages of participants in aquatic programs. Focus is on information for aquatic professionals providing direct participant service. Guidelines for program management are also included.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the functioning of education systems in a multitude of ways. In Ireland schools closed on March 12th and remained closed for the remainder of the academic year. During this time educators engaged with students, families and colleagues in new and diverse ways. The purpose of this study was to explore educators' experiences during the closures, particularly regarding the impact of the pandemic on the wellbeing of students, school staff and wider school communities. Design/methodology/approach: A series of one-to-one interviews, lasting approximately one hour, were conducted in July 2020 with 15 education professionals online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Participants occupied various roles (classroom teacher, school leader, special educational needs coordinator, etc.) and worked in a diverse range of communities in Ireland. Qualitative data from interviews were transcribed and emergent themes identified through an inductive followed by deductive analytic approach. Findings: The interviews highlighted the central role that schools play in supporting their local communities and the value teachers place on their relationships with students and families. Many teachers and school leaders found themselves grappling with new identities and professional boundaries as they worked to support, care for and connect with the students and families they serve. There was considerable concern expressed regarding the plight of vulnerable or marginalised students for whom the school ordinarily offered a place of safety and security. Originality/value: The findings reveal how COVID-19 has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and the central role of schools in promoting the health and wellbeing of all its members.
ABSTRACT
Given the impact of COVID-19 on populations, especially under lockdown conditions, there has been more attention than ever focused on the role of nature, including green and blue spaces, to act as a form of health-enabler across societies. Access to green space, with its potential for physical activity and mental health support has been specifically identified within the literature as an important asset for neighbourhood and citizen health and wellbeing. The established positive relationships between access to and benefits from green and blue space are variable over space, both in terms of the kinds of built environments in which people live, but also the availability nearby of natural assets like parks, coasts, rivers, etc.;as well as ease of access to those spaces for all citizens. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have developed as part of their public health strategies, a series of lockdown measures in which citizens have either been confined to home, or at best, a small catchment area immediately surrounding their homes. As part of a flurry of recent research on such relationships, the GreenCOVID study was carried out by a group of researchers in Spain, the UK and Ireland, all broadly operating to a similar framework and collecting information from the general adult population in each of the three countries. This short commentary introduces the survey alongside preliminary Irish results specifically focused on household characteristics, access to nearby green space as well as a measure of psychological wellbeing.
ABSTRACT
To get a more accurate picture of the significance of Covid-19 mortality in Dublin, a study was conducted to analyse notices posted in 2020 to RIP.ie relative to the previous five years. Examining monthly notices posted to RIP.ie relative to previous years also helped identify those parts of the city most affected by the disease in terms of excess mortality during the pandemic. From examination of factors that may affect levels of Covid-related mortality in Dublin, the authors have quantitatively established that social inequalities that persist throughout districts in Dublin have a statistically significant influence on mortality levels related to Covid-19. The significant relationship that exists between Covid-related mortality and area deprivation confirms that Covid-19 has differential impacts on Dublin's population depending on residential location. This suggests that approaches to combat the impacts of Covid-19 in Dublin should take into consideration the socio-economic dynamics that exist throughout the county's four authorities. One fundamental problem is that restrictions set up to effectively avoid contracting the virus automatically shield the portion of population that are socially and economically more privileged. Yet the remainder of the population that reside in more deprived districts, who are less able to adapt to restrictions, are disregarded and more likely to be seriously impacted by the effects of the virus. An additional caveat is that usage of rip.ie amongst migrant communities is not widespread and they may not be fully represented. For one worker with a stable, well-paying job, restrictions may mean working from home and being protected from the virus. For another worker, restrictions may not provide such security and they may face the choice of going to work, and increasing their risk of contracting the virus, or staying at home and sacrificing their income.