The highest rates of Covid and flu over the Christmas period were seen in Donegal, it has been reported.
Both viruses dampened the festivities for thousands of people around the country during Christmas week.
According to the Irish Independent, a snapshot of test figures indicates the highest rates of Covid were seen in Donegal, Offaly, Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim and Westmeath.
Other counties that appeared to be affected by higher rates of Covid were Laois, Limerick, Kerry, Mayo and Cork as the JN.1 variant spread more rapidly.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC) confirmed yesterday that the variant, which is more contagious, has pushed its way to a stronger position here, accounting for four in 10 samples of the virus analysed in the weeks leading up to Christmas. And it is likely to have an even stronger hold now.
Meanwhile, it is estimated that around 10,000 people will have been struck with flu between mid-December to the third week of January after the virus took a firm grip over Christmas as people socialised and travelled, bringing the infection with them.
Limited data shows that flu rates over Christmas week were highest in Donegal, Mayo and Cork followed by Leitrim, Sligo, Westmeath, Kerry and Offaly.
Flu is set to peak this week or next but it will remain a risk well into this month and February, leading to hundreds of hospitalisations and outbreaks in hospitals and other facilities such as nursing homes.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which mainly affects small children, is falling but 345 cases and 113 hospitalisations were still reported last week.
The counties worst affected by RSV outbreaks were Donegal, Westmeath, Sligo, Mayo, Leitrim, Cavan and Kerry.
Read the full report in today’s Irish Independent or on www.independent.ie
