Louth on the brink of ‘Level 3’
COUNTY Louth is on the verge of Level 3 restrictions following a marked rise in COVID 19 cases in recent weeks, with the North Louth region of Carlingford recording exactly double the cases of Drogheda.
The latest figures as we go to press show 35 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the north Dundalk region and 25 in the south Dundalk area.
By comparison, Drogheda urban has 17 cases, the coastal areas of Clogherhead and Termonfeckin have 11 cases, and the Laytown/ Bettystown electoral area is showing 14 cases.
There are fewer than five confirmed cases in
Mid Louth.
The national average rate is 52.8 cases per 100,000 people, which is the same rate as the centre of Drogheda.
The rate in the Carlingford region is 136 per 100,000, and in Dundalk South is 77 cases per 100,000.
Meanwhile, there have been calls for a dedicated COVID 19 testing centre for Drogheda, with local TDs raising the issue in the Dail, as well as organising an online petition.
Imelda Munster TD raised the matter with the Tanaiste last week and he said it would be investigated.
The sharp increase in cases of COVID-19 prompted the release of a joint statement on behalf of the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Dolores Minogue, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Joan Martin, Chief Superintendant of An Garda Siochana, Christy Mangan and Regional Chief Officer, Health Service Executive, Pat Bennett.
COUNTY Louth is on the verge of Level 3 restrictions following a marked rise in COVID 19 cases in recent weeks, with the North Louth region of Carlingford recording exactly double the cases of Drogheda.
The latest figures as we go to press show 35 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the north Dundalk region and 25 in the south Dundalk area.
By comparison, Drogheda urban has 17 cases, the coastal areas of Clogherhead and Termonfeckin have 11 cases, and the Laytown/ Bettystown electoral area is showing 14 cases.
There are fewer than five confirmed cases in Mid Louth.
The national average rate is 52.8 cases per 100,000 people, which is the same rate as the centre of Drogheda.
The rate in the Carlingford region is 136 per 100,000, and in Dundalk South is 77 cases per 100,000.
As of midnight Saturday September 19th, nationally there were 396 confirmed cases of COVID-19.172 are men / 224 are women, and 70% are under 45 years of age
Meanwhile, there have been calls for a dedicated COVID 19 testing centre for Drogheda, with local TDs raising the issue in the Dail, as well as organising an online petition.
‘Drogheda is Ireland’s largest town, yet we do not have a COVID-19 testing centre,’ says Deputy Ged Nash.
‘Since April, I have been calling on the Minister for Health and the HSE to set up a testing centre in our town. Cases are rising, and the people of Drogheda cannot wait any longer’.
The closest testing centres to Drogheda are Ardee, Slane and Dundalk.
‘ The cases we are reporting were seeded in the last week,’ says Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health,
‘ This virus spreads from person to person. We now have a collective task across the country to break the chains of transmission and stop this virus from spreading further. Plan to see half the number of people this week that you saw last week.
The full county-by-county breakdown can be viewed here https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/