The reproduction number in Dublin is much higher than the rest of the country, Professor Philip Nolan has confirmed.
The news comes after three further deaths and 84 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed at a briefing by NPHET this evening.
Yet again, the vast majority of cases (51) were in the capital.
The reproduction number in Dublin is 1.4, where it is approximately 1.0 in the rest of the country.
Professor Nolan said that cases are spread all across the capital, but added that South Dublin has significantly less.
Speaking at the briefing, he said: "While the reproduction number for Ireland as a whole is close to 1.0, the reproduction number for Dublin alone is approximately 1.4.
"We are seeing increasing case numbers in Dublin, growing close to 5% per day. If this were to continue, the number of cases would double every 14 days.
"Given the size of Dublin’s population it is essential we prevent any further spread now – by limiting our social contacts and taking precautions during any essential contacts.”
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn added: “We continue to see a concerning pattern of cases, particularly in Dublin.
"Transmission is diffuse across the county, is in all age groups and is mainly being driven by social interaction within and between households.”
Of the cases notified today;
- 32 are men / 52 are women
- 66% are under 45 years of age
- 30% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
- Eight cases have been identified as community transmission
- 51 in Dublin, six in Offaly, five in Kildare and the remaining 22 cases are located in Cork, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wicklow.
