Coronavirus three times more prevalent in County Cavan

SPIKE Almost 500 cases in County Cavan in a fortnight; as Ballyjamesduff electoral area worst hit

The current incidence rate of Coronavirus in County Cavan is more than three times the national average with the Ballyjamesduff electoral area the worst hit, analysis of the latest data has revealed.

Confirmation comes as the country reported its highest ever daily number of Coronavirus cases, 1,205, yesterday.

There were 487 confirmed new cases in the Breffni county up to Wednesday, October 14, amounting on an incidence rate of 639.3 cases per 100,000 of population. The national average for the same period is 206.7 cases per 100K people.

Donegal is second worst hit but its incidence rate is 367.5/100K, just over half of Cavan's rate. Meath has overtaken Monaghan on the list for third place, with a rate of 355.8 in the Royal county (694 cases in a fortnight) and 350.2 in the Farney county (215 confirmed new cases up to October 14) in fourth position.

Yesterday evening (Thursday), the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reported an additional three deaths related to COVID-19.

It brings to 1,838 the total number of Coronavirus related deaths in Ireland since the virus was first confirmed here on February 29 last.

As of midnight on Wednesday, October 14, the HPSC has been notified of 1,205 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 63 in Cavan. There have now been a total of 46,429 confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland.

Ballyduff area worst hit

Within County Cavan, the Ballyjamesduff electoral area has been worst hit. The more detailed geographical breakdown and analysis is only up to date as of October 12.

It shows a rate of 651.1 per 100K in the Ballyjamesduff electoral area or 168 in the 14 days up to Monday, October 12.

Cavan Belturbet reported 84 new cases during the same period, translating to a rate of 323.6/100K.

Bailieborough Cootehill has been affected to a lesser extent with 62 confirmed new cases or a rate of 253.9/100K - although that is still higher than the national average.

Median age is 34

Meanwhile, of the cases notified by the HPSC yesterday:

614 are men / 590 are women

71% are under 45 years of age

The median age is 34 years old

288 in Dublin, 173 Cork, 123 in Meath, 97 in Galway, 63 in Cavan and the

remaining 461 cases are spread across all remaining counties.

As of 2pm yesterday, 241 COVID-19 patients were hospitalised, 29 of which were in ICU. There had been 24 additional hospitalisations in the previous 24 hours.

Growth rate rapidly accelerating - CMO

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said: “There has been further increases across all key indicators of COVID-19 and the growth rate of the epidemic has accelerated since NPHET last met.

“Cases notified over the past week have increased by 82% compared with the previous seven days, from 3,514 to 6,382 cases.

“The positivity rate over the past seven days is now 6.2% and is continuing to increase.”

“The 14-day incidence in those aged 65 years and older has increased from 92.9 per 100,000 population on 7th October to 125 per 100,000 population on the 14th of October.

“The number of hospitalisations are increasing faster than the exponential growth modelling predicted. This indicates a rapidly deteriorating disease trajectory nationally.”

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said that the reproduction number appears to have increased and is now at 1.4 nationally.

"Modelling shows that if current trends continue, by October 31st, the number of cases notified daily would be in the range of 1,800 – 2,500 cases with over 400 people in hospital.”

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, said; “The challenge we have now is much greater than earlier this year, as we are trying to suppress COVID-19 while maintaining our non – COVID services and providing safe environments in our acute settings.

“The higher the community transmission the more difficult it is to protect medically vulnerably people in all heathcare settings. We appeal to everyone to play their part in protecting patients, healthcare workers and frontline services.”