Health officials are warning that the location of the majority of coronavirus cases in Ireland has 'shifted' from Dublin to other counties.
Out of the 26,303 cases in the Republic since the pandemic began, just under half of those have been in Dublin.
However, on several occasions in the past week the number of new cases has often been higher in a county other than Dublin.
Figures released on Wednesday August 5th showed 11 new cases in Wexford and 10 in Kildare - compared to six in Dublin.
Kildare is the county that has seen most new cases in recent days, with more than 130 confirmed in the past week - representing over a third of the 362 cases reported in the country over the same period.
Clare, Laois, Limerick and Wexford are among the other counties that have seen significant numbers of new cases in recent days.
In a letter to Government earlier this week, NPHET said there has been a "shift in the location of the majority of cases from the greater Dublin region to other counties over the past 7-10 days".
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: "Only 27% of cases in the last seven days have occurred in Dublin, with six counties having a great seven days incidence than Dublin.
"The majority of cases are no longer predominately limited to the greater Dublin region."
The observation was repeated by Government official Elizabeth Canavan today - who said we've 'moved away from the trajectory' the country had been on.
Many of the new cases have been associated with vulnerable groups - such as those in direct provision centres - as well as from outbreaks in workplace settings.
