New list of hardest-hit Covid-19 towns and areas in Ireland as hotspot emerges

A new list of the top ten towns and areas in Ireland hardest-hit with coronavirus has been released by the Department of Health.

One of the key measures used by health officials is the incidence rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 population.

And by this metric Buncrana is the worst-hit region in Ireland for the second week in a row, with a rate of 536.5.

However a new hotspot has emerged, as Listowel in Co Kerry is now reporting the second-highest incidence in the country at 404.5.

(Department of Health)

Gort-Kinvara in Co Galway has also seen a concerning rise with a rate of 310.6, while Tallaght is the only Dublin region on the list with an incidence of 310.2.

But there are some positive signs as the overall incidence rate continues to reduce, and there are now only five regions in total with an incidence over 300.

Here is the top ten list of the hardest-hit regions by Local Electoral Area:

1. Buncrana - 536.5.

2. Listowel - 404.5

3. Newcastle West - 331.9

4. Gort-Kinvara - 310.6

5. Tallaght - 310.2

6. Athlone - 295.3

7. Belmullet - 277.8

8. Limerick City East - 274.5

9. Boyle - 270.3

10. Ashbourne - 268.2