One Mayo electoral area emerges as a Covid hotspot

The Westport electoral area has emerged as a region with one of the highest rates of Covid-19 in the State, according to the latest weekly data published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

It has a 14-day incidence rate of 1,719 for the period running from November 2 to November 15 for its population of 18,378.

A total of 316 new cases were identified in the district during the two-week spell, leaving it with a rate significantly above the national average of 1,160.7.

Drogheda Urban has the country's highest rate with 2,415 while two towns in Co. Leitrim, Ballinamore and Manorhamilton, have rates of 1,957 and 1,830, respectively.

The Westport area is not the only one in Mayo with a rate above the national average as Swinford's is 1162.8 per 100,000 of its population of 17,286.

The east Mayo area registered 201 new cases.

The situation remains worrying in three other Mayo districts, namely Castlebar, Claremorris and Ballina.

Castlebar's rate is 1110.3 in respect of its population of 29,992 after total of 333 new cases were reported

Claremorris has a rate of 1090.6 in a population area of 27,141, having had 296 new cases confirmed.

Ballina stands on 1039.4 in a population area of 25,110 after 261 new cases were identified.

Belmullet, which had the highest incidence rate in Ireland last January, remains an area with one of the country's lowest infection rates.

Its rate is 317 in respect of its population of 12,600 after 40 new cases were confirmed during the two weeks in question.

Last January it's rate was more that 6,000 per 100,000 of its population.