Two Co Donegal areas have coronavirus infection rates that are a multiple of the national average, according to official figures released on Friday.
Buncrana, which shares a border with Derry, recorded 1,073 infections per 100,000 residents over a two-week period, giving it an incidence rate that is seven times the national average.
There were 240 cases of the virus recorded among its 22,400 residents over the fortnight leading to Monday, July 12th.
Neighbouring Carndonagh, in the north of the county, had the Republic’s second-highest rate with 849 confirmed cases per 100,000 of its population.
The national average rate stands at 150.8, according to the Health Service Executive’s data hub.
Buncrana’s 14-day incidence rate has increased from 880 cases per 100,000 people a week ago, while Carndonagh’s has risen from 625.
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A pop-up test centre opened in Buncrana last week due to concerns over a rise in cases in the Inishowen area. The centre will remain in place for another week and the HSE is encouraging locals to avail of the facility.
The new data reveals four areas in Co Donegal have incidence rates that put them among the 10 worst-affected locations in the State. Appearing among the worst hit alongside Buncrana and Carndonagh were Letterkenny, with a rate of 346, and Lifford-Stranorlar (336).
West Dublin suburbs
However, Limerick city north recorded the third-highest incidence rate in the Republic, with 510 cases per 100,000 of its population.
Next came Ongar, in the west Dublin suburbs, with a rate of 427, Co Waterford’s Dungarvan (405) and west Dublin’s Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart (357).
Three areas recorded fewer than five cases per 100,000 people: Kanturk, in Co Cork; Carrick-on-Suir, in Co Tipperary; and Muinebeag, in Co Carlow. Last week there were 14 districts that recorded such negligible case numbers.
Examining other districts countrywide, Killarney has a rate of 277, while all other areas in Co Kerry are below the national average. Every area of Cork has a relatively low rate, with Skibbereen west recording the highest there – having a rate of 145 cases per 100,000 of the population.
Three areas around Galway city are slightly above the State average (the highest is Galway city east, on 169, while the rest of the areas across the county have recorded rates about or below 100 cases per 100,000.
Enniscorthy has recorded Wexford’s highest rate, but it is still better than the average, at 136.
With 293 cases per 100,000 residents, Moate is an outlier in Co Westmeath, recording a rate twice as high as Athlone. In Co Mayo the rate is highest in the Claremorris district (276), while Arklow stands out in Co Wicklow, with a rate of 206.
