GP says Donegal's high infection rates linked to border

Carndonagh in Co Donegal is the most Covid-infected Local Authority Area in Ireland, with a 14-day incidence rate of 2,694 per 100,000.

This compares to a national incidence rate of 526 per 100,000.

Denis McAuley, chairman of the GP committee of the Irish Medical Organisation and Donegal-based GP, said that the county's proximity to the border is contributing to its high coronavirus incidence rate.

He told RTÉ's News at One: "You just have to look at the incidence in Derry and Tyrone, it's up in the nearly 2,000 per 100,000 14-day average ... North Donegal always mimics what's happening just over the border."

Dr McAuley said that the different public health guidelines in Northern Ireland are also having an impact on the numbers in Donegal.

"They've made the decision that unvaccinated people can go indoors so this has a significant effect on their numbers.

"Then similarly the vaccination within the younger age group isn't going as well in Northern Ireland so that's why it has such high numbers."

It comes as new figures show Northern Ireland's overall Covid-19 rate stands at 629.3 per 100,000 - the highest since 5 January.

Dr McAuley added: "The adherence to social distancing in North Donegal is excellent.

"When we go to local restaurants we have to show photo ID as well as our vaccine cert so I think it is the proximity to a high incidence area rather than the actions [of people] which is having the effect [on infection rates].

"Yes, the numbers are very high and it is a worry and unfortunately, the unvaccinated people are beginning to show themselves through presenting with significant sickness."