Ireland is now on red alert, with the country set to adopt level five restrictions for the next six weeks in order to stem the tide of a virus that’s rampant throughout the country.
A key metric considered by ministers and public health officials is the rate of infection in different counties per 100,000 of population.
For most of the country, unfortunately, it’s not a pretty picture, with two-week totals offering a stark reminder of how deeply Covid-19 has embedded itself in our communities.
But there are counties holding their own when it comes to fending off the virus – and the rest of the country might be well-served looking to them for inspiration as we head into level five. Here are the counties that have held up the best over the last fortnight.
Tipperary
By the metric of actual case numbers in the last fortnight, Tipp – which has reported 180 in the last two weeks – isn’t leading the table.
But by another, arguably more important measure – rates of Covid per 100,000 – the Premier County is bottom of the list everyone wants to be last on, with 112,8 cases per 100,000.
The county has done a good job of suppressing the virus in its towns, with Thurles and Nenagh holding up particularly well.
Wicklow
The Garden of Ireland has the second-lowest rate of Covid-19 across the country, with 119.4 per 100,000 of population.
Given that many of its towns are typically thought of as part of Dublin’s commuter belt, the county has done well to keep transmission relatively low compared to the rest of the country.
Waterford
The Munster county has been a bit of a yo-yo when it comes to case numbers in recent weeks. It was on a watchlist for level three in late September, but Waterford people got their act together and got case numbers down.
Now the county has recorded the third-lowest rate per 100,000 in the last two weeks (145.5) and looks in good shape to get virus numbers down.
Kilkenny
With 152 cases in the last two weeks, Kilkenny is one of the country’s better areas when it comes to holding the virus at bay to some extent.
Its fortnightly incidence rate – 153.2 per 100,000 – is the fourth lowest in the country, but its general hospital has still warned that it’s “extremely busy”.
Mayo
Over in Connacht, Mayo – not a million miles from the border – appears to be holding up better than some of its neighbours.
Its incidence rate in the last two weeks is 166.3 per 100,000.
Carlow
Smack bang in the midlands, Carlow’s fortnightly rate of 166.9 per 100,000 is one of the better ones in Ireland.
And it has recorded only 95 cases in the last 14 days – a far lower figure than counties elsewhere in the country.
Louth
Ireland’s smallest county by area has recorded a 14-day incidence rate of 177.7 per 100,000. The Wee County has had 229 cases in real terms – a figure likely explained by its proximity to Dublin.
Laois
Laois is faring better than the majority of other counties when it comes to rates per 100,000 in the last two weeks, with 186.5.
But many are fearful over the number of critically ill patients in Portlaoise hospital – it’s the second highest in the country.
Offaly
This county, which has a 14-day incidence rate of 195.0 per 100,000, has been in the news recently – for claims made by one of its politicians.
Offaly is one of just nine counties with a two-week incidence rate of less than 200, which is perhaps why TD Barry Cowen felt comfortable calling on the Government to increase to 25 the number of people allowed attend funerals.
