Ireland

Covid-19 incidence rate in Buncrana almost six times national average

Two towns in the county feature in national top three for incidence of the virus

The incidence rate for Covid in Buncrana and Dungarvan was almost six times the national average in recent weeks. File photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times.
The incidence rate for Covid in Buncrana and Dungarvan was almost six times the national average in recent weeks. File photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times.
Aine Kenny
Sat Jul 03 2021 - 00:08

Buncrana has the highest incidence of Covid-19 in the country, according to local electorate area data released on Friday.

As of last Monday, the Donegal town had a Covid incidence rate of 608.1 per 100,000 people. The national 14-day incidence rate is 102.6, according to Health Protection Surveillance Centre figures from Thursday.

Dungarvan in Co Waterford was the area with the second highest incidence of Covid, with 600.1 per 100,000. Another Donegal town, Carndonagh, has the third highest Covid incidence at 489.3.

Athlone in Westmeath, along with the eastern and northern parts of Limerick city, also had high levels of the virus, the figures reveal.

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Parts of Dublin also had a higher rate of the virus than the national average, with Castleknock, Ongar, and the Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart area particularly affected.

However, 19 areas reported fewer than five cases of Covid.

Areas that were relatively Covid-free included Roscrea, Templemore and Nenagh in Tipperary, Borris-In-Ossory and Mountmellick in Laois, Clane in Kildare and Manorhamilton in Leitrim.

Bray in Wicklow, Westport and Belmullet in Mayo, and three LEAs in Wexford also recorded under five cases of the virus.

Bantry in West Cork, Corca Dhuibhne and Castleisland in Kerry, Longford town and Granard, along with Bailieborough and Cootehill in Cavan had similarly low levels.

Muinebeag in Carlow and Lismore in Waterford also fared well.

This is the first local electorate update since the HSE cyberattack, which occurred over two months ago and affected the health service’s IT systems.

The Department of Health revealed this evening that the Delta variant now accounts for almost 70 percent of new cases.

On Friday, the department said 512 new Covid-19 cases had been recorded, up on the previous day.

In plans announced on Friday, AstraZeneca as well as Johnson & Johnson vaccines are to be used on people aged 18-34 who can register to receive a jab through a local pharmacy. The move is a significant shift in policy as these vaccines had previously been restricted for use in the over 50s and over 40s respectively.

Many pharmacies reported being overwhelmed on Friday by the level of interest in registering to receive a vaccine.