By Muireann Duffy
Donegal and Derry City/Strabane are the only two areas in the North-West with incidence rates higher than the national incidence rates of the Republic and Northern Ireland respectively.
Fermanagh/Omagh and Leitrim, have much lower incidences of the virus despite a spike in the number of cases recorded across the borders in Donegal and Derry City/Strabane.
In the North, data is not based on the borders of the six counties, but rather on Local Government Districts and uses a seven-day incidence rate per 100,000 people, as opposed to the 14-day rate used in the Republic.
However, the data from both north and south of the Border show similar trends in recent weeks.
On September 10th, the Republic's national 14-day incidence rate was 36.72, which had increased to 68.59 on September 23rd. In the North, their seven-day incidences rate was 30.7 on the 10th, rising to 59.9 by the 23rd.
Due to the spike in cases, Donegal has been placed on Level Three of the Living with Covid plan, with people being asked to limit social interactions.
Up to six visitors from one household are permitted to visit another home, while bars, pubs and restaurants are only permitted to serve takeaway food, or outdoor dining for up to 15 people.
As the new restrictions were announced for the northern county, Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster urged people from Donegal not to cross the border into the North to avoid restrictions.
Both Donegal and Derry City/Strabane have noted big increases in the number of young people testing positive for the virus.
Despite the sharp increases in the two areas, prompting public health experts to highlight the need for cross-border co-operation, neighbouring areas have noted more gradual increases.
According to data from the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre, Leitrim's incidence rate declined dramatically on September 20th, bringing them well below the national incidence rate.
Similarly in Sligo, the incidence rate on September 23rd was 18.3, the lowest of all the areas in the North-West.
