Virus spread is declining; Ireland is the third country in Europe with lowest incidence rate of COVID-19

DUBLIN: It is a matter of relief that the spread of the virus in Ireland is declining, even as the second wave of COVID-19 is gripping Europe.

Ireland is the third country in Europe with the lowest virus incidence rate. Currently, the country’s two-week COVID-19 positivity rate is 129 per lakh.

Finland ranks first among countries with the lowest COVID positivity rate. The two-week COVID positivity rate here is 53. Iceland is in second place (123).

Meanwhile, Luxembourg, has the highest transmission rate (1,327). The highest COVID-19 positivity rate was 1,282 in the Czech Republic and 1,143 in Liechtenstein.

The two-week test positivity rate in the UK is 487 per lakh. This is higher than in Germany (302). But it is lower than Spain (590) and France (919).

However, CMO Dr. Tony Holohan said yesterday that the virus spread has not slowed down in all parts of Ireland and the two-week positivity rate in Donegal is 280 per lakh.

At the same time, Buncrana in County Donegal has the highest transmission rate (536) in Ireland.