Cases are probably higher than official statistics suggest.

The latest report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre suggests that Cork is currently one of the safest counties to be in from a Covid perspective.

Based on the number of Covid cases reported in the final week of 2021, Cork had the fifth-lowest incidence of Covid in Ireland. With 6,029 cases, Cork had an incidence rate of 1110.6 per 100,000. This was well below the highest rate of 3056.2 per 100,00, found in Westmeath.

Only Cavan, Waterford, Wexford and Kerry had a lower rate than Cork. The median age of those testing positive for Covid in Cork was 29, which was broadly in line with the national median.

However, the HPSC has noted: “Due to a backlog of cases awaiting processing which emerged as a result of a technical
issue over the Christmas weekend, notifications in weeks 51 and 52 were artificially reduced. Cases diagnosed during this period will be reflected in notifications during subsequent weeks.

“In addition, due to the ongoing surge in positive cases, the overall reporting time (time from diagnosis to notification) has increased since week 51.” The HPSC was also unable to make any claims about how cases are currently being transmitted, saying: “Data is not unavailable due to the current surge in cases.”

The full report can be accessed here.