DONEGAL’S 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 cases has gone up to over 312 per 100,000 population.
This is the highest figure in the country, while the national average rate is 124.4.
The incidence rate is calculated by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre based on the number of new cases in a county in relation to the local population.
Donegal has recorded 497 new infections between 23rd September to 6th October. The county case total took a record spike yesterday after 60 more infections were confirmed locally.
The latest data from Letterkenny University Hospital (as of 8pm Wednesday) shows that there are 12 patients with Covid-19 receiving care onsite. One of those patients is in critical care.
“COVID-19 is spreading in our community in a very worrying manner. We have to break these chains of transmission,” said Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer yesterday.
Monaghan has the second highest Covid-19 14-day incidence rate at 257.4, followed by Dublin (171.4) and Roscommon (170.4).
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer said the spread of the virus is also contributing to more serious cases of illness: “Trends in case numbers and incidence are now being reflected in indicators of disease severity. The number of people in hospital has increased from 122 last Thursday to 156 this afternoon. There are currently 25 people in critical care compared to 20 one week ago.”
