by Paul Healy
There were just ten confirmed cases of Covid-19 in County Roscommon as of Wednesday evening (yesterday). Nationally, there were 3,447 confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland, with 85 deaths linked to Covid-19.
Meanwhile, a tremendous ‘Meitheal spirit’ is building up throughout County Roscommon. A dedicated 24-hour community support helpline has been established in Roscommon County Council to assist at-risk members of the public in accessing non-emergency and non-medical supports and advice during the current Covid-19 public health emergency.
The confidential phoneline service is being established by the new Covid-19 Roscommon Community Response Forum, which includes numerous agencies and organisations. The helpline is focused primarily on ensuring that vulnerable members of the community or those living alone can access deliveries of groceries, medicine and fuels.
Included in the Covid-19 Roscommon Community Response Forum are: Roscommon County Council, including Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel; Health Service Executive; An Garda Síochána; Roscommon LEADER Partnership; An Post; Other community, voluntary and sports representatives.
The community support helpline is Freephone 1800 200 727 and support email is covidsupport@roscommoncoco.ie. The helpline is open 24-7. Roscommon County Council will operate the helpline from 8 am to 8 pm and An Garda Síochána in Roscommon will operate it from 8 pm to 8 am. We have full details in this issue.
Meanwhile, the ‘Roscommon Responds’ initiative in Roscommon town area – set up by Roscommon Chamber, Roscommon LEADER and the Roscommon People – has gained immediate momentum.
Mr. Paul Clabby of Roscommon LEADER Partnership told the Roscommon People on Wednesday: “We have already seen an increased demand from people and businesses availing of this initiative, and we are actively working to support local businesses to maintain service provision and assist with deliveries to households”.
