Clare is in the bottom half of counties for the spread of COVID-19, latest data from the Department of Health has outlined.
Over the past fortnight, there have been 63 cases in the Banner County. The 14 day incidence rate per 100k of the population stands at 53 which is the seventh lowest figure in the country, the national rate is 87.
A total of six new COVID-19 cases have been alerted to health officials over the past 24 hours, an increase on the five announced on Monday.
On a day when Ireland moved to Level 3 restrictions which saw the reopening of non-essential retail shops, hair and beauty providers, gyms and leisure centres, there have been 269 new cases of the virus recorded nationally. 73 are in Dublin, 20 in Kilkenny, 20 in Limerick, 19 in Louth, 19 in Tipperary and the remaining 118 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
18 additional deaths were announced by the Department. It is the highest figure reported in one day since May. One of the deaths occurred in October, 15 in November with the remaining two under investigation. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, 2,069 persons have died from Coronavirus. Two deaths have been de-notified by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
Earlier on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn singled out younger members of the population for their efforts in suppressing the virus. “Thanks to all the young people who have really stepped up this year & are making a phenomenal effort to live within the Covid19 guidelines,” he stated.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “The hard work and sacrifices that have been made by people over the last 6 weeks to suppress COVID-19 means that we are now in a position to reopen non-essential retail and to travel within our counties.
“It is up to every person, individually, to remain vigilant to the spread of this disease, to assess the risk that is involved in any social activity. We need to keep the public health advice at the centre of our minds and do not have visitors to our homes, outside of any necessary visitors in a support bubble, until the 18th of December”.
He concluded, “Each one of us has a role in shaping the national picture on COVID-19 in the coming weeks. It is vital that you keep hand washing, wear face coverings and keep a 2m distance from each other, to protect public health, to protect vital public services and to give us the best chance to continue to minimise the spread of the disease.”
