Coronavirus Ireland: Worrying Covid-19 cases jump in two counties as three other areas see spike

Two counties saw a big jump in coronavirus cases over the last two weeks, new figures show.

The 14-day incidence rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 population is one of the key measures that will help decide whether further restrictions and lockdowns are needed.

And Dublin once again has by far the highest rate in the country, with an incidence of 104.0 in the latest statistics.

However there have been noticeable increases in both Louth and Leitrim according to new figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

(HPSC)

Louth currently stands at a rate of 76.8, while Leitrim is at 71.8.

This is not much less than the incidence rates that forced Offaly and Laois into a form of "local lockdown".

It is also a significant jump from the same figures just one week ago, which stood at 30.3 for Louth, and 49.9 for Leitrim.

However the highest rates in the country can be found in three areas in Dublin.

Dublin North West, at 152.2, has by far the highest incidence of Covid-19 cases in Ireland.

This is followed by Dublin South East on 122.1, and Dublin South West on 108.8.

Here is a full breakdown of the 14-day incidence rates across the country:

(HPSC)

While here are the latest rates in Dublin:

(HPSC)