THERE has been a significant reduction in the number of cases of Covid-19 being reported in the Letterkenny Electoral Area over the past seven days.
The figures, available from the Covid-19 Data Hub, show case information at a Local Electoral Area (LEA) level across Ireland between September 29 and October 12.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) figures show Lifford-Stranorlar LEA has the second highest 14-day Covid-19 incidence per 100,000 people in the country at 610. It has grown slightly in the past week (603).
The latest LEA data shows that the national 14-day infection rate has increased from 116 cases per 100,000 population last week to 177 cases per 100,000 population this week.
Of concern is the fact that Buncrana (487 per 100,000), Carndonagh (442), Donegal (294) and Letterkenny (289) are well above the national incidence rate (177). Lower amounts were observed in Milford (145) and Glenties (163).
In terms of cases numbers, 86 cases of Covid-19 were reported in the Letterkenny EA in the 14-days up to October 12.
In last week’s report, which included 14-day data up to October 5, a total of 64 new cases had been reported in the same area. That leaves twenty-two new cases this week, a 66 per cent reduction week on week.
The figures for the other electoral areas in Donegal for the same two week period are: Lifford-Stranorlar 158 cases (+71), Buncrana 109 (+68), Donegal 78 (+36), Carndonagh 75 (+35), Glenties 39 (+22) and Milford 20 (+9).
The data is updated weekly on Thursdays and illustrates where the virus is spreading across 166 local electoral areas.
Donegal, which moved to Level 4 at midnight on Thursday, continues to show concerning rates of virus spread. It has the second highest 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 at 367.5.
According to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) Ireland could be facing 1,800-2,500 cases per day and more than 400 people in hospital by Halloween.
Letterkenny University Hospital has already confirmed that a number of planned surgeries scheduled for this week have been cancelled as staff are redeployed to deal with the virus.
In the Nphet statement announcing the Covid-19 figures, Dr Nolan said: “Modelling shows that if current trends continue, by October 31, the number of cases notified daily would be in the range of 1,800-2,500 cases with over 400 people in hospital.”
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)