It's according to a leading immunologist.
60 per cent of Ireland's Covid-19 cases can be traced to a strain of the virus that originated in Spain over the summer, according to leading immunologist, Professor Luke O'Neill.
Prof. O'Neill, who works at Trinity College, says a new report shows the majority of our case numbers stem from people travelling from Spain.
''The strain of the virus emerges in Spain in around about June time, in early Summer'', he said.
''And guess what that has spread all over Europe and in Ireland 60% of cases can be traced to that case in Spain''.
''In the UK perhaps 80% of the virus came from Spain in the summer as well, so it's a very important study in showing how this virus can spread so easily''.
Meanwhile, 268 Covid patients are now in hospital with 44 of them in intensive care units.
The latest HPSC data also shows the national 14 day incidence rate per 100 thousand population is estimated to be 253, down from a peak of 309 on October 25th.
