Exact location of 252 new virus cases, as 18 counties have very low numbers

Ireland recorded 252 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, a very encouraging drop before restrictions are lifted next week.

In more positive news, no more deaths were announced during a National Public Health Emergency Team briefing.

And falling below 300 for the daily number of infections is a very positive move, as restaurants will be allowed to reopen if the trend continues.

The hotel industry has been told that the magic number of Covid cases that will allow for a massive reopening of restaurants next week will be “in the 200s.”

And 18 counties in particular are seeing very encouraging signs, registering six or fewer cases.

Of those counties, Carlow had no new infections.

Dublin saw the highest number again, although infections dropped significantly to 88.

Cork was next with 26 more people diagnosed, followed by Kilkenny with 21 and Louth and Mayo, both with 16.

Of those who tested positive, 128 were women and 124 were men, while the average age was 34 years.

Meanwhile, 65% of those infected were under 45 years old.

At 2:00 p.m., 289 patients were hospitalized with the virus, 33 of whom were in intensive care.

There were 11 additional hospitalizations in the last 24 hours.

Here’s the latest breakdown of cases across the country:

Donegal – 13

Louth – 16

Limerick – 12

Roscommon – <5

Waterford – <5

Meath – <5

Offal – <5

Dublin – 88

Monaghan – 5

Westmeath – <5

Kilkenny – 21

Longford – <5

Cavan – <5

May – 16

Tipperary – <5

Clare – <5

Kildare – 6

Cork – 26

Sligo – <5

Carlow – 0

Leitrim – <5

Wicklow – 6

Galway – 5

Kerry – 6

Laois – <5

Wexford – <5