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Ireland is in the grip of a third wave of coronavirus and cases are rising sharply in some counties and local areas, a new analysis shows.
The country now has “the fastest growing incidence rate in the European Union,” Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said on Thursday, with more restrictions aimed at halting the spread of the disease that will take effect on Wednesday. Saint Stephen.
The latest figures reveal an increase in Covid cases in most counties. Weekly statistics on infection rates in local electoral areas dating from August onwards show that the latest wave follows a similar pattern to previous increases.
When these case numbers are compared to similar data from zip code areas in the north, they offer an indication of how the disease is spreading in different communities. Both sets of statistics use the infection incidence rate per 100,000 population, which provides a better understanding of spread than direct case numbers.
Currently, the BT42 postal district in Co Antrim, which covers parts of Ballymena, has the highest incidence on the island. The area recorded 922.6 cases per 100,000 during the two-week period Dec. 6-20, an increase from last week when it had a rate of 900.6.
The BT80 zip code in Co Down, which includes Newry, remains at 832.5, up from 648.9 last week.
The area of the Republic with the highest infection rate is in Co Wexford.
New Ross has a 14-day incidence of 659.7, an increase of more than 1,000 percent from last week when the area had a rate of 57.7 cases per 100,000. The area added 183 cases of Covid-19 in the fortnight to December 21, more than in any other part of the Republic.
Carndonagh in Co Donegal, which previously had the highest infection rate in the state, has seen its incidence rate drop from 795.8 to 619.
Claremorris in Co Mayo and Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny have the next highest rates in the Republic, at 523.1 and 462.2 respectively.
Nine local electoral areas recorded fewer than five confirmed Covid-19 cases in the 14-day period, including: Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim; Belmullet, Co Mayo; Cahir, Co Tipperary; and Kilrush, Co Clare.
In Northern Ireland, the postal codes with the lowest rates are BT3 in Belfast, which recorded no cases during the two week period, and BT19 in Co Down, which recorded a rate of 123 cases per 100,000.
New restrictions
Dr. Holohan urged the public to limit their contacts in the coming days. “Unfortunately, none of the indicators of this disease show encouraging signs,” he said.
The restrictions will be phased in over the Christmas period and will go into effect on January 1. The government warned that the measure could be in effect for months.
Inter-county travel will be prohibited after December 26. Beginning January 1, no inter-household gatherings will be allowed in private homes and gardens.
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The current measures that allow the visit of two other households to a private home or garden will end on December 27. Visiting another home will be allowed until December 31 before a visitation ban takes effect, except for essential purposes.
Nonessential retail may remain open, with the guidance that stores do not conduct January sales.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland will enter a new lockdown on St. Stephen’s Day, of which the first week will be the harshest ever imposed in the region.
There will be a curfew to stay home from 8 pm to 6 am during that week.
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