Department of Health claims the number of COVID cases has not declined and is unlikely to decrease; NPHET reveals shocking figures

DUBLIN: Despite tightening restrictions, COVID continues to rise in Ireland. The growing number of hotspots across the country and the spread of the disease even at the local level is a matter of great concern. The number of cases is on the rise in Cork and Donegal counties.

Donegal is the most infected country in the country. In all seven LEAs in the county, the infection rate is double or more than the national infection rate. It is shocking that there are 602.6 patients per lakh in the Lifford/ Stranorlar area. The number of COVID-19 hotspots in the country has been on the rise since last week. Infection rates in about 40% of local areas are higher than the national average. The assessment is that this indicates that COVID will not be brought under control in the near future.

The latest Local Electoral Area (LEA) data show that the infection rate has risen significantly over the past 14 days. Last week, the number of cases was 88 per lakh, but this week it has risen to 116 cases per lakh. This indicates that the virus is spreading in 166 local electoral areas of the country.

Out of 166 LEAs in the country, the infection rate is higher than the national average of 40%. Last week it was 32%.

While the rate of infection is declining in some areas, the corona virus is growing rapidly in some counties, such as Longford, Clare, and Roscommon. The rate in Granard in Longford, has more than tripled from 112.4 cases per lakh last week to 384.1 cases.

Kilrush in Clare is currently the most infected, with 290.6 cases per lakh. The virus has spread to 226.5 cases per 100,000 population.

The rate of infection in cork also increased significantly. The number of cases in Cork City South Central has more than doubled from 111.2 last week to 240.5 last week. Patients are also more likely to be found in densely populated areas. The highest rates in the country are in urban areas with a population of over 38,000. Cork City Southwest reported 191.3 cases per 100,000 and Cork City North East reported 173.1 cases per 100,000.

Only 8% or 13 LEAs had less than five Covid-19 cases in the two weeks between September 22 to October 5. Half of it is in Munster. The Kanturk and Bantry areas are almost virus-free, with less than five cases detected in two weeks. These are the only areas with the lowest infection rate.

The NPHET confirmed 506 COVID cases and one death yesterday. In connection with this, the LEA data was released. There have been 1,817 COVID-19 related deaths so far since the outbreak in March. The number of confirmed cases has exceeded 40,000.