What has been described as a "rapid increase" in Covid-19 infection rates in Galway has prompted a joint appeal to people to adhere to public health guidelines.
As the country s acute hospital system comes under extreme pressure from rising Covid-19 numbers, the head of the local hospital group fears that the worst has yet to come.
Mid West Correspondent
The Covid-19 vaccination programme has now started for healthcare workers at Ennis Hospital, the University of Limerick hospital group has said.
The first healthcare worker at the hospital to be vaccinated was Dr Mary Kennedy of the Medical Assessment Unit, who received her vaccine from staff nurse Caroline Mulligan.
Dr Kennedy said: This is a day we have all been waiting for in Ennis Hospital and the arrival of these vaccines gives us all hope that an end is in sight.
The first batch of vaccines was delivered to Ennis Hospital this morning, and it is planned initially to administer 50 doses per day to healthcare staff. A second vaccination is due for staff in three weeks.