It’s spreading fastest in urban centres.

Cork city is on high alert this evening after the Department of Health confirmed an additional 363 cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed across the country in the past 24 hours.

There has been one further death from the virus. Of the new cases, 154 were in Dublin, with 40 in Cork, 23 in Donegal, 16 in Wexford, 15 in Roscommon, 14 in Galway, 14 in Monaghan, 11 in Kildare, 11 in Meath, 11 in Wicklow, 9 in Limerick, 6 in Clare, 5 in Mayo, 5 in Tipperary, with the remaining 29 cases in nine counties

“Public buy-in and willingness to adhere to public health guidance remains the frontline of our defence against the spread of COVID-19.” said Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer.

“The vast majority of people continue to take the necessary steps in their everyday activities to protect themselves and others.

“If you start to experience symptoms, stay at home and contact your GP to assess your need for a COVID-19 test as soon as possible. If you have been informed that you are a close contact of someone who has the illness, please don’t meet up with other people, including your family or friends, don’t go to work or college, don’t play sport, and avail of a test when it is offered.

“I know that these are difficult choices for people to make, but each individual effort will make a significant impact on the spread of this disease and, ultimately, on the numbers of deaths that we can prevent this winter.”

Further restrictions likely 

With a second wave of infections looming, tighter restrictions are set to be discussed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Thursday after Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly confirmed that Cork is one of four counties currently being monitored for snowballing coronavirus cases.

As of midnight Monday, 28 September, the @hpscireland has been notified of 363 confirmed cases of #COVID19.

There is now a total of 35,740 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Ireland.

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) September 29, 2020

Louth, Galway and Wicklow are also facing a move to Level Three, which would see pubs and restaurants allowed to serve food and drinks in outdoor settings only and visitors banned from nursing homes.

Any new restrictions could be rolled out as soon as Friday morning.

Freshers’ Week parties causing concern 

As scenes of large crowds of revellers gathering at Galway’s Spanish Arch caused widespread anger today, the University College Cork Student’s Union said it would not cancel Freshers’ Week festivities as more than 22,000 students return to the college to begin the new semester.

While all the events planned for this year are taking place online, concerns were raised that elements of the event, including nightly live DJ sets, could encourage students to gather at house parties between now and October 2nd.

Despite a warning from the acting president of UCC John O’Halloran that any student “found to be organising, hosting or attending gatherings, which are in breach of guidelines will be subject to sanction” up to and including expulsion, members of the Magazine Road Residents Association say that house parties continue to be an issue in the area:

“There will be nothing “virtual” about the house parties and anti-social behaviour resulting from UCC Student’s Union “virtual” Fresher’s Week.” the group said in a statement.

“When people in Cork have been asked to minimise social contacts, and UCC has moved lectures online, the Student’s Union shows shocking irresponsibility and a blatant disregard for the health and economic well-being of the citizens of Cork city.”