Offaly currently has the highest 14-day incidence rate of covid-19 in Ireland.
44 people are receiving treatment for covid-19 in midlands hospitals today.
That's up three on yesterday's figures, while eight covid patients in ICU.
Capacity is very limited today, with no general beds available in the region and just one intensive care bed free, at Mullingar Regional Hospital.
Nationally, there are 726 people being treated for covid in hospital this morning - 151 in ICU.
Offaly currently has the highest 14-day incidence rate of covid-19 in Ireland, at 431 cases per 100,000 people, which is twice the national average.
Laois is 5th in the national table with a rate of 298, and Westmeath ranks 15th with 239.
Professor of Health Systems at DCU Anthony Staines says this can come down to some fine margins:
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