A CO DONEGAL area close to the Derry border has the highest Covid infection rate in the Republic, according to new figures.
Buncrana has a 14-day incidence rate of 608.1 cases per 100,000 of the population.
A detailed breakdown of coronavirus cases in each local electoral authority in the south also shows that by last Monday, the neighbouring Carndonagh area had the third highest rate at 489.3 per 100,000.
Dungarvan in Co Waterford had the second highest, with 600.1 cases per 100,000.
Derry and Strabane has experienced a similar spike and recorded the highest rates in the north over the past month.
Pop-up testing and vaccination clinics have been set up in the north-west as well as other Covid hotspots across Northern Ireland to curb the spread of the more infectious Delta variant, with younger people targeted.
Up until July 1, the seven-day incidence rate in Derry and Strabane was 298.8 cases per 100,000. The second highest was the border area of Newry, Mourne and Down at 184.7 per 100,000.
Despite the surge in cases, hospital admissions remain relatively low. However, there are concerns the impact will be felt in the autumn if rates are not slowed.
Northern Ireland has an incidence rate of 109.7 cases per 100,000 while the Republic is 107 per 100,000.
