A number of counties across Ireland are struggling to contain a surge in coronavirus cases as the Delta variant continues to circulate in communities.
The incidence rate of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in Ireland over the past fortnight stands at 493.
There are currently 11 counties with rates above this figure, but four areas are struggling more than others to contain the surge of the virus.
The worst-hit regions are Waterford, Longford, Carlow and Kerry, with all three reporting incidence rates above 700 per 100,000 of the population over the last fortnight.
New data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre shows the areas which recorded the highest incidence rates between October 4 and October 17.
The counties with the highest incidence rate are: Waterford (944.3), Longford (883.2), Carlow (818.5) and Kerry (727.1).
Making up the top ten are: Donegal (605.6), Limerick (539.3), Monaghan (536), Laois (527.8), Louth (523.7), and Westmeath (513.7).
These are then followed by: Cavan (509.3), Clare (463.7), Leitrim (458.7), Meath (454.8), Dublin (444.6), Roscommon (432.3), Cork (419.4), Galway (409.2), Sligo (387.6), Kildare (386.1), and Kilkenny (370.8)
Meanwhile, the top five counties faring best in dealing with the virus are: Offaly (298.9), Wexford (319.9), Mayo (332.5), Wicklow (351.1), and Tipperary (364.8).
It comes as Dr Tony Holohan warned that lockdown restrictions may have to be reimposed if current measures can't get Covid under control.
In his letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, the Chief Medical Officer said the public’s compliance with basic public health measures will be “critical” in avoiding a return to more restrictive measures again.
He wrote: “The NPHET cautions that the re-imposition of public health restrictive measures may be warranted should the application of the above measures not have sufficient effect on the profile of disease.”
However, government Ministers including Taoiseach Micheal Martin have recently said the government would not reintroduce lockdown measures.
An avoidance of further restrictions on the future remains dependent upon “public understanding and buy-in to the basic public health measures in order to minimise opportunities for this virus to transmit,” Dr Holohan said.
The Chief Medical Officer also warned the Covid-19 will get worse before it gets better.
