New Cavan Covid cases continue to spike

Only Dublin (134) and Donegal (53) had higher new case numbers than Cavan which, after having one of the worst rates per capita in Europe, had seemingly seen the spread of infection flatten during lockdown.

Cavan had the third highest increase in cases in the county according to yesterday's update from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

On Wednesday evening, reporting on figures valid from the midnight before, Tuesday, December 15, there were 25 new confirmed cases of Covid infection in the county.

Nationally there were 431 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with Cavan accounting for just under six per cent of those.

There is now a total of 77,197 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the new cases notified yesterday 185 were men and 244 were women, with some 67% of those aged under 45 years.

Only Dublin (134) and Donegal (53) had higher new case numbers than Cavan which, after having one of the worst rates per capita in Europe, had seemingly seen the spread of infection flatten during lockdown.

There are currently 207 COVID-19 patients hospitalised, of which 30 are in ICU. There were 22 additional hospitalisations in the 24 hours prior to the new figures being released.

On Tuesday last (reporting from midnight on Monday) Cavan had 12 new cases, and on Monday (midnight Sunday) less than five.

But last week saw the incidence level in the county increased almost two-fold, rising from a rate of 61.7 to 111.6 in seven days, and elevating the county up from fourteenth to eighth place in the 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population chart.

As of yesterday, Cavan now sits fifth, up three places again, and with a 14 day rate of 147 and 112 new cases confirmed in the past 14 days.

Testing for suspected Covid in the county has also increased for the second week in a row at the Ballinagh Health Centre.

Having fallen for seven consecutive weeks up to the end of last month, 395 tests were carried out last week December 7-13, up over 36%, which is an increase also on the 290 persons tested the previous week (November 30 to December 6), up 11%.

Meanwhile, the HSE says it is currently drafting places for an alternative testing site for Cavan.

The site chosen, for which application for lease is being prepared, is expected to be operational in the first quarter of next year.

Responding to the latest Covid figures, Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, said yesterday: “We are seeing significant and concerning indicators that this disease in moving in the wrong direction, including an increase in positivity rates, and 7 day and 14 day incidence, and our 5 day average has now increased to 339 cases. Recent international experience has demonstrated just how quickly this disease can get out of control.”

He warned that the trends are “all the more troubling” because of the “delicate and precarious” situation Ireland is in heading into a period of potential widespread inter-household and inter-generational mixing.

“This is an ideal opportunity for the virus to spread and impact on those most vulnerable to its severest effects. Don’t give COVID-19 this chance: limit your contacts, prioritise who you meet, and let’s remain vigilant so we can get through this together. NPHET will meet tomorrow to review the epidemiological situation.”