A GP in Buncrana in Co Donegal – where Covid-19 incidence is six times the national average – has said the rapid rise of cases in the area is "an extreme and immediate cause of concern".
Buncrana has seen its 14-day incidence rise to 608.1 per 100,000 people – the highest in the country.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Dr Ciara Steele said it was "very difficult to understand" why case numbers were rising so rapidly in the area, adding that complacency was the enemy in combating Covid-19.
"It is quite alarming... the positivity rate at the walk-in centre in Letterkenny is 10%, and when we look at our own numbers between 29 June and 2 July, our own numbers here in Buncrana are even higher than that."
She added: "We had 56 test referrals and 14 of those returned positive, so the positivity rate is in the order of 20%.
"That is a cause of alarm and concern, and I think complacency with regard to guidelines and adherence to known measures that are known to prevent disease are the enemy here.
"So I think I would urge people to consistently adhere to guidance and do the things we know that work against Covid," Dr Steele said.
Asked if proximity to the border played a factor in the rise, the GP said Inishowen was the natural hinterland of Derry, adding that people have enjoyed indoor hospitality in Derry.
"It’s very difficult to ascertain the impact of that," she said, adding that epidemiological data shows "family outbreaks as the highest spikes".
Dr Steele said the rising case numbers contradict the assertion that the numbers are being "blown out of proportion" adding that Delta’s transmissibility was much higher, and as such risk of infection was higher.
"I would urge people to have any symptoms... to get a PCR test and confirm whether they have Covid or not."
