LETTERKENNY in Co Donegal has overtaken Buncrana as the worst Covid-19 blackspot in the Republic.
Figures released yesterday showed the Letterkenny area had a 14-day incidence rate of 389.4 per 100,000 more than three times the average for the Republic. In the 14-day period up to November 16, 116 new cases of coronavirus were recorded.
The new figures also revealed a slight fall in the incidence rate in Buncrana which had reported the highest figures in the Republic last week. With 86 new cases over the 14-day period to November 16, the south Inishowen area incidence rate fell to 384 per 100,000.
Concern has been expressed that the figures for Donegal remain high despite some of the tightest restrictions in place for the last six weeks.
Public health specialist, Aidan Ryan said community transmission in the county remained higher than most other counties.
Dr Ryan said: “This is due to a number of factors including, cross border travel and people are still congregating for social purposes including events such as wakes and funerals or gatherings extending beyond the family or bubble.”
Head of the Donegal Garda division, Terry McGinn also joined an appeal to the public to help stop the spread of the virus by staying at home.
“An Garda Síochána have increased the number of Operation Fanacht (Operation Stay) checkpoints across County Donegal’s vast road network. We are doing this in support of the public health measures to protect lives and to protect our communities,” Chief Superintendent McGinn said
