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The incidence of Covid-19 in Ireland is higher than that of at least 17 other European states, new figures show, even though many countries saw increases in cases in recent months.
Ireland recorded 30.6 cases of the virus per 100,000 inhabitants over the past 14 days, according to the latest update from the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC).
This is up to 12 times higher than Ireland’s lowest incidence, recorded at the end of June, but marks a slight improvement from the previous day after weeks of steady increase.
Figures show that while Ireland was not the only one to see an increase in cases during this period, its increase was greater than in many other EU states.
Sweden, where aversion to lockdowns and most other strict restrictions has attracted massive international scrutiny, saw its incidence drop sharply in the latest ECDC update, to 23.4 cases per 100,000 population.
The mortality rate in both countries is the same, 0.1 per 100,000 inhabitants during the last 14 days.
Spain has the highest incidence of the disease in Europe, 205.5, followed by Malta (94.6), France (88.7), Croatia (87.1) and Romania (84.1).
There are currently nine countries on Ireland’s green list that people can travel to without having to self-quarantine. The list was last updated in early August; Ryanair has called for it to be expanded to include other countries with lower incidence of the disease.
According to the ECDC, the incidence of Covid-19 in Europe has increased for 38 days. Rates are increasing in Ireland and 13 other countries.
The news comes as local lockdown measures in Co Kildare were lifted with immediate effect Monday night.
In a government statement, it was confirmed that the Covid-19 public health measures implemented in Kildare will be aligned with those of the rest of the country.
Special restrictions were imposed in the county on August 7 after a spike in Covid-19 cases. The measures were extended for two more weeks on August 21, despite similar measures being lifted in Laois and Offaly counties.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) met early Monday to review the situation in Kildare and confirmed that it is now very similar to the rest of the country.
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