Ireland has the fastest improving incidence of Covid-19 in Europe, with a 43 per cent drop in the past two weeks, according to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).
This comes as Nphet meets on Thursday to discuss the ongoing Level 5 restrictions amid speculation the country will move to Level 3 restrictions in early December.
Wednesday saw two more deaths related to Covid-19 recorded in the Republic and an additional 362 cases.
It brings the total number of deaths linked to the virus in the State to 1,965 with 66,247 cases, according to figures from the Department of Health.
There are currently 285 patients hospitalised with the virus, with 39 of those being treated in intensive care units.
The positivity rate among people tested for Covid-19 is now at 3.6 per cent. The World Health Organisation recommends the rate should remain below 5 per cent for at least two weeks before public health measures are relaxed.
More than 76,000 tests have been carried out in the State over the past seven days.
The 14-day incidence of the virus nationally is 145 cases per 100,000 people. Donegal has the highest county incidence at 300.9 and Leitrim has the lowest at 40.6.
In Europe, only Norway and Estonia have lower incidence figures than Ireland, according to the European Centre for Disease Control.
Northern Ireland
The Mid Ulster council district is the worst hit area in the North, with an incidence rate of 621.5 cases per 100,000 people over the last 14 days.
The next highest rate is in the Derry and Strabane area, with 554.5 cases per 100,000.
On Wednesday another 791 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland and eight more deaths were reported, according to the region's Department of Health.
Dublin
The latest data shows the 14-day infection rate in Dublin is at 154.6 cases per 100,000 people, lower than six other counties.
Within the city itself, infection rates vary. Dublin North West, an area that covers Smithfield, Phibsborough, Finglas and Blanchardstown, has the highest rate currently – 209.5 cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks.
Dublin South, which covers Blackrock, Dún Laoghaire, Stillorgan and Shankill, has a rate of 67.6 cases per 100,000.
Reducing transmission
Ireland’s success is notable for the progress made in reducing transmission, according to deputy chief medical officer Dr Desmond Hickey.
The 14-day incidence has dropped 23 per cent in the past week. Only Belgium and Malta are also currently managing to reduce transmission.
Dr Hickey said that while cases were growing in most European countries there were signs of potential stabilisation in some.
The director-general of the HSE, Paul Reid, said that while the trends were good in Ireland with Covid numbers coming down, the country had to learn from what happened when society and the economy opened up in June and July.
Speaking earlier this week, Mr Reid said because restrictions were lifted in the summer there were “massive rises” in cases again in August, September and October.
Mr Reid said it was important for people to continue to reduce the number of contacts they have and the number of households they visit.
