The Shannonside region is recording some of the lowest levels of COVID-19 infections nationwide, but levels are growing in the lead up to Christmas.
New figures from the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre show 36 new cases of the disease were recorded last week in the three counties.
Local hospitals are also seeing an increase in the amount of patients presenting with or due to the Coronavirus. While still reporting some of the lowest incidence rates in the country, Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon are seeing more positive tests registered with the HSE than last month. The national average incidence rate stands at 39.4, with the three local counties all falling below that level. Longford currently has the highest infection rate at 31.8 with 13 cases notified last week. While recording the lowest level of cases in the region at 9, Leitrim's infection rate is the second highest locally at 28.1 due to it's lower population. Roscommon saw the highest level of local cases at just 14, but due to higher population levels, the infection rate fell well below the national average at 21.7. Meanwhile in the health system, the amount of people admitted to hospital with COVID or due to COVID symptoms is on the rise. 62 people are currently receiving treatment at the regions four hospitals, up from 48 in November. UHG and Sligo have the majority of positive cases, with 27 and 16 patients respectively.
Meanwhile, Midlands Regional Hospitals in Mullingar and Tullamore are each treating 8 cases, while just 3 positive cases are in the Covid Ward at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.
Nationally, close to 600 people are in hospital with the disease, while over 1,800 new cases were registered last week.
