Case numbers have increased again as the Delta variant is becoming the most dominant strain of the Covid-19 virus in Ireland.
According to local electorate data released last Friday, Donegal has been the worst hit by case numbers over the past 14 days.
Buncrana, Co Donegal, has the highest incidence of COVID in the country, with a rate of 608.1 per 100,000 people.
This is compared to the national incidence rate of 102.6, according to Health Protection Surveillance Centre figures released on Thursday.
Dungarvan, Co Waterford, has the second-highest incidence rate of 600.1 per 100,000 population.
Carndonagh, another Donegal town, has the third-highest COVID incidence rate of 489.3.
Athlone in county Westmeath also reported high levels of the virus as outbreaks occurred in the town last week.
Dublin also has a higher rate of the virus than the national average in areas such as Castleknock, Ongar and the Blanchardstown- Mulhuddart area.
Despite some areas reporting high incidence rates, 21 locations recorded fewer than five cases of COVID.
These areas included:
Roscrea - Templemore, Co Tipperary
Nenagh, Co Tipperary
Borris-In-Ossary, Co Laois
Mountmellick, Co Laois
Clane, Co. Kildare
Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim
Bray, Co Wicklow
Wicklow Town, Co Wicklow
Westport, Co Mayo
Belmullet, Co Mayo
Bantry, Co Cork
Corca Dhuibhne, Co Kerry
Castleisland, Co Kerry
Longford Town, Co Longford
Granard, Co Longford
Bailieborough - Cootehill, Co Cavan
Muinebeag, Co Carlow
Lismore, Co Waterford
Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford
New Ross, Co Wexford
Rosslare, Co Wexford
The government announced last week that it would be accelerating the vaccination program to help combat the more transmissible Delta variant.
From July 5, selected pharmacies across the country will now be able to administer the vaccine to those aged 18-34.
The move came after the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) decided to allow people aged under 40 to receive the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines.
Niac said due to a risk of rare blood clotting, it is still preferable that people aged between 18-49 receive an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna.
Despite this, Niac said in order to vaccinate as many people as possible, AstraZeneca and J&J vaccines can be offered to younger people to provide protection against the rising cases of COVID in Ireland.
Yesterday head of the Health Service Executive Paul Reid said with the acceleration of the vaccine roll-out, all adults in Ireland could be fully vaccinated by the end of August or early September.
He said, “Ultimately if we can work through all of that it could bring us right back to the end of August, early September. That’s where it could bring us if everything comes forward, the take up is as we project, there’s a few variables in there.”
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