Cork is faring well in the battle against coronavirus.

Although the numbers are on the rise, daily infection rates are currently the second-lowest in the country with 67 confirmed cases of Covid-19 recorded on Leeside in the two weeks up to September 16th, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

As Dublin scrambles to contain the latest outbreaks, the figures show that only Sligo has a lower incidence of Covid-19 infection per 100,000 people in the population at 7.6. Cork’s 14-day incidence rate is 12.3.

With cases on the rise, however, Professor Philip Nolan, chair of National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET)’s epidemiological modelling advisory group, has appealed to the public to consider where Dublin’s snowballing Covid-19 infections are coming from so that we can limit the second wave of the disease here:

“We know that in Dublin at least one in three cases are community transmission. Where is this happening? Wherever we mix socially: our houses, gyms, bars, restaurants. Sadly, unless we stop mixing in these settings, we know the disease will spiral out of control.” Professor Nolan tweeted.

‘We must act now’

“… the level of the virus is rising again rapidly, and we have to radically reduce mixing between households. If we don’t, this virus will kill some of us, saturate our health system, close schools, and create a bigger shock to our economy. It’s devastating for those businesses affected, but we must act now, while targeted measures might still get the virus back under control.”

We know that in Dublin at least one in three cases are community transmission. Where is this happening? Wherever we mix socially: our houses, gyms, bars, restaurants. Sadly, unless we stop mixing in these settings, we know the disease will spiral out of control. 7/10 pic.twitter.com/lJ2DlQY3ko

— Professor Philip Nolan (@President_MU) September 18, 2020

“We, as citizens, are tired and demoralised as the virus increases. We need leadership and solidarity. If you are questioning the decisions government must make, ask yourself a question: are you holding them to account, or spreading confusion and division for political advantage?”

A decision on the Level Three restrictions for Dublin is set to be announced following a Cabinet meeting this afternoon.