Westmeath had highest rates of Covid over Christmas week

Westmeath had by far the highest incidence rate of Covid 19 over the Christmas period.

According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), between December 26 and January 1 the Covid incidence rate in the county was 3,056.2 per 100,000 people, more than double the national average of 1,365.9.

The incidence rate locally in the last week of 2021 was also more than twice the previous week's figure of 1,301.1. Clare (1,974 per 100,000) had the second highest incidence rate between December 26 and January 1, followed by Kilkenny (1,855) and Longford (1,820). Kerry had the lowest incidence rate (884.9), followed by Wexford (956.4) and Waterford (1042.4).

There was a total of 65,044 confirmed Covid-19 cases during Christmas week. However, health experts estimate that the true figure may have been two or three times higher.

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Ireland passed the one million mark yesterday evening, when a further 23,909 positive tests were reported.