Ireland’s 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 has continued to fall since the end of October in line with the introduction of tighter Covid-19 restrictions.
On October 27th, Ireland’s rate was 300 cases per 100,000 people, the highest level it had even been since the virus was first detected here.
The decrease is in stark contrast to what is being recorded across the rest of the continent as daily case number records are again being broken by numerous European countries.
Today, Ukraine had their largest jump in cases, recording 12,524, while Russia also broke their daily record with 22,702 cases.
Poland also reported their highest daily death toll with 548 Covid-related deaths.
Luxembourg now has the highest 14-day incidence rate of any country in Europe according to data from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), with a rate of 1316.8.
The principality Andorra, with a population of approximately 76,000, has a higher rate again with 1391.4.
A second national lockdown in England, in addition to various increased measures in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland have done little to stall the UK’s overall incidence rate just yet.
The UK’s rate is now 491.7 and has been increasing steadily since the summer months when the initial lockdown measures were eased.
Earlier in the week, Ireland had been placed alongside Finland as the reproductive rate of the virus in both countries had reduced.
Finland now stands on 53.4 cases per 100,000, the lowest rate of any country in Europe, followed by Iceland and then Ireland.
Norway, Belarus, and Estonia are also reporting rates below 200 however their numbers are trending upwards.
These figures continue to worry health experts and governments, with many moving to implement or extend restrictions, attempting to drive down rates of the virus.
In France, one of the worst affected countries in Europe, a second national lockdown began at the end of October. Meanwhile, the mayor of Istanbul in Turkey called for a two-week lockdown today as figures soar nationwide.
Austria is also considering an extension to its current night-time curfew, planning a total lockdown from November 17th to December 6th.
Despite rising rates in Sweden, the government there are maintaining their 'voluntary measures' approach rather than lockdown.
Earlier this week, the Swedish government said it planned to ban the sale of alcohol in bars, restaurants and nightclubs after 10pm but speaking to Reuters on Friday, the country's chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said a widespread lockdown would not be adopted.
"We will keep on this path- this is how we work in Sweden. We have a big understanding for this and a huge adherence to the rules," he said.
