Kilkenny near eye of Covid-19 storm sweeping through country: new figures

Kilkenny now has the ninth highest Covid incidence rate and is bordererd by counties that are experiencing the highest rates of the virus.

The indidence rate in Kilkenny currently stands at 1,180 per 100,000.

Neighbouring C arlow (1,521) has now has the second highest rate of infection in the country, behind Louth at 1,698.

Waterford (1,366) also has one of the highest reates of infection, while just to the north of Kilkenny, Laois has an indience rate of 1,285.

The picture has emerged as a new series of measures were announced by the Government yesterday in a desperate bid to slow the spread of the virus.

The rise of Covid-19 is widespread across the country, leaving no county unscathed.

The counties with the lowest 14-day incidence are Roscommon, Monaghan, Kildare and Clare.