Kildare Among Counties With Highest Covid-19 Death Rates: Health Report

Tuesday, 12 March 2024 15:26

By Martin Osborne

The data, spanning from March 1, 2020, to January 6, 2024, provides insight into the impact of the pandemic across different regions and settings.

Kildare was among the counties with the highest number of Covid-19 deaths.

The latest data, spanning from March 1, 2020, to January 6, 2024, provides insight into the impact of the pandemic across different regions and settings.

According to a report published by The Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin experienced the highest number of deaths, with 2,903 fatalities, constituting 31.0% of the total deaths in the country. However, when considering mortality rate per 100,000 population, Mayo emerges with the highest figure, followed closely by Louth and Kildare.

Sligo, Galway, Tipperary, Longford, Wicklow, Kerry, Meath and Cork were the counties with the lowest rate of Covid deaths per 100,000 population.

In terms of the place of death, hospitals accounted for the majority, with 56.0% of deaths occurring within their premises.

Residential institutions, including nursing homes and mental health facilities, witnessed 28.4% of deaths.

Notably, hospices and homes constituted smaller percentages at 1.6% and 6.2%, respectively.

The report also sheds light on deaths linked to outbreaks, emphasising the vulnerability of certain settings. Nursing homes, for instance, witnessed 29.2% of deaths linked to outbreaks, followed by hospitals at 12.8%.

The report's breakdown by year and month highlights the fluctuating nature of the pandemic's impact over time. January 2021 stands out with the highest number of deaths recorded at 1,425, while January 2024 saw only two deaths reported.

Commenting on the findings, Dr. John Smith, a public health expert, emphasised the need for continued vigilance and targeted interventions. "While the overall trend seems to be declining, it's crucial to address regional disparities and protect vulnerable populations in institutional settings," he said.