Two areas in Cork among seven to lose virus-free status

The figures show how quickly the Covid-19 picture can change, showing that the number of areas reporting negligible infection rates has fallen from 20 to 18 over the past week

The Bandon-Kinsale and Skibbereen areas in Cork saw a small number of new infections in the past fortnight and were no longer deemed virus-free. Picture: Denis Minihane.

The number of local areas deemed Covid-free has fallen from 20 to 18 in the past week following confirmation of a small number of cases in pockets of the country.

New data on Covid-19 infection rates in 166 local electoral areas (LEAs) shows that seven areas, including two in Cork, have fallen off the list of almost virus-free areas this week.