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Carlow has the highest rate of Covid as NPHET consider recommending new restrictions

Carlow has the highest rate of Covid as NPHET consider recommending new restrictions

Carlow has the highest rate of Covid-19 in the country.

Its 14-day incidence rate is 1,983 cases per 100,000 people - compared to the national average of 1,320.

Westmeath is the next highest, at 1,860, followed by Longford.

Every county has a rate of at least 1,000, with Offaly's the lowest.

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The Agriculture Minister says he's "hopeful" Ireland can avoid another lockdown.

It comes as NPHET meet today to consider recommending new restrictions after the first case of the Omicron variant in Ireland was identified yesterday.

Charlie McConlogue is confident the country can continue under the restrictions currently in place.

Omicron

Meanwhile, Immunologist Luke O'Neill says a Covid treatment pill looks like it will work well against the Omicron variant.

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The first case of the new strain in Ireland was confirmed yesterday.

It’s feared Omicron could be resistant to vaccines, although this has not yet been confirmed.

COVID-19 Deaths

Covid-19 deaths decreased by over a fifth last month - despite a record number of cases.

160 people died from the virus in November - down from 205 in October.

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The worst month for Covid deaths was January of this year, when 1,420 people passed away.

Nearly 18,000 more cases were reported last month than during the previous peak in January.

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