Digital technology and home-schooling during COVID-19
By Claire Dorris, National Children’s Bureau and Maurice Meehan, PHA. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here.
Eating well to boost our mood during the pandemic
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to eat healthily in order to boost both our physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Feeling good comes from a variety of lifestyle factors including taking exercise, the food we eat and how much sleep we are getting,” said Laura Taylor, Health Improvement and Wellbeing Senior Officer with the PHA. “Getting the balance right can help us cope a little bit better with the everyday stresses we face.” Serotonin, the feel good hormone, is partly made from a protein found in foods called tryptophan. Tryptophan is present in a
Testing sewage water - an innovation in surveillance for coronavirus
Brendan Bonner, Assistant Director at the Public Health Agency, looks at an unusual innovation. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here.
Protecting and supporting our care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic
By Dr Claire Neill, Specialty Registrar in Public Health, Public Health Agency. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here.
Volunteers supporting access to medicines for vulnerable people
Joanne Morgan, Director, Community Development and Health Network and Danny Sinclair, PHA, on the important role of volunteers in delivering medication. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here.
Preventing accidents at home
Hilary Johnston, PHA, and Pauline Herbison, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), discuss a way we can all help reduce pressure on the health service during lockdown. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here.
Urgent medical care for stroke essential during coronavirus pandemic
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding the public of the importance of seeking urgent medical care if they or someone else experiences any of the symptoms of stroke. Help is available for those who need medical attention throughout the pandemic. If not treated urgently, a person is at a higher risk of death or disability if they take a stroke than from COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, stroke units have seen a slight reduction in the number of patients admitted with stroke. Dr Brid Farrell, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said: “Across Northern Ireland people are
PHA: no room for complacency with coronavirus
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has warned that complacency around coronavirus could lead to further spread of the disease, and ultimately result in deaths. Dr Gerry Waldron, Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Thanks to people following advice, we have managed to reduce the levels of coronavirus in our community. However, we cannot let this create a false sense of security and let our guard drop, as this could undermine and reverse everyone’s hard work to date. “COVID-19 can be a fatal disease, and sadly, in Northern Ireland over 500 people have lost their lives. We must not forget
Volunteering: Benefits, challenges and opportunities
A reflection on volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic from Denise Hayward, CEO, Volunteer Now, and Maurice Meehan, PHA. To view our complete series of COVID-19 blogs, click here.