Seven of the 270 new COVID-19 cases announced across the country on Tuesday are located in Co Clare.
Clare continues to show a small daily increase regarding positive cases but the fourteen day incidence rate per 100k of the population (132.1) remains below the national rate (151.5).
Of the 270 new cases reported, 7 are in Clare, 82 in Dublin, 21 in Donegal, 18 in Roscommon, 17 in Limerick, 17 in Tipperary and the remaining 108 cases are spread across 19 other counties. 56 percent of the samples are of individuals aged 45 years and under.
Health officials have been notified of an additional 16 deaths, 14 of which occurred in November, 1 in October and 1 remains under investigation. One previously announced death has been de-notified by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre leaving a death toll of 1,963.
Data from 2pm on Tuesday indicated that 282 persons are being treated for COVID-19 in Irish hospitals, 40 of which are in ICU. Over the past 24 hours, 21 individuals were hospitalised with the virus.
Ireland’s national picture was described as “encouraging” by Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan. “The 14-day incidence of 152 cases per 100,000 is down by 51% compared to the previous two weeks.
“To maintain this positive trajectory, we need to remain vigilant to the highly infectious nature of this virus, which can easily spread from person to person through close contact and by social mixing. Our individual everyday choices to stay at home and keep our contacts to a minimum are vital to driving down the spread of COVID-19,” Dr Holohan added.