The Minister for Health is hopeful no counties will see their coronavirus restrictions tightened after this afternoon's National Public Health Emergency Team meeting.
There are now four counties with a 14-day coronavirus rate above 100, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, with Roscommon joining, Dublin, Donegal and Monaghan.
There have been 102.3 confirmed cases of the virus for every 100,000 people in Roscommon in the past two weeks – up from 99.2 yesterday.
The national rate has jumped from 88.5 yesterday to 92.1 today.
Donegal’s rate jumped nearly seven points from 204.2 yesterday to 211.1 today.
The rate in Dublin now sits at 159.3, while the rate in Monaghan is up to 133.6.
The 14-day coronavirus rate per 100,000 people in Ireland. Image: HPSCIt has now been 21 days since the national rate has fallen.
It has been 20 days since the rate has dropped in Cork and 18 since it dropped in Donegal.
The National Public Health Emergency Team is meeting this afternoon to discuss the figures amid concern more counties could soon be moved to Level Three restrictions.
At a press conference this afternoon, the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he does not expect any counties to be moved down a level – and is hopeful none will be moved up.
On Breakfast Briefing with Shane Beatty this morning, DCU Professor of Health system Anthony Staines said he expects to see nationwide restrictions brought in soon.
“I think that is possibly where NPHET will go,” he said.
“That they would recommend restrictions across the whole country. Bring in restrictions county by county by county that are tailored to what is going on in that county and which change over time and things change.”
While the 14-day figures are continuing to increase the Government has previously said that the incidence rate is not the only criteria considered when deciding on further restrictions.
The number of patients in hospital, the numbers in ICU and the recent death toll will also be considered.
As of 8am this morning, there were 122 COVID-19 patients in hospital with 20 in intensive care.
That’s up from 117 in hospital and 18 in intensive care yesterday.
Nine COVID-19 patients have died in the past week.
