Move FM Global News

DUBLIN, Ireland – Four new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus were reported in Ireland Wednesday night. Following two additional cases reported in Northern Ireland earlier in the day, the total the number of confirmed cases on the island is now nine.

The latest four cases are all associated with travel from the same affected area in Northern Italy.

There are two male and two female patients, from the western part of Ireland.

“Tonight we can confirm there are now six cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. Contact tracing is underway for these four new cases,” Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, said Wednesday night.

Despite the surge in cases Wednesday, health officials were playing down the potential for the Irish public to contract the disease.

“There is still no evidence of widespread or sustained community transmission in Ireland, as seen in some other EU countries,” Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said Wednesday night.

“While we now have six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, we continue our containment efforts, central to which is that the public know what to do in the event they have symptoms.”

COVID-19 is spread through close contact with an infected person’s body fluids (for example, droplets from coughing or sneezing). It is also spread by touching surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on, which is one of the reasons why officials say it is so important that people wash their hands regularly, practice respiratory etiquette, and try to avoid touching their face.

Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre was informed of the two new cases in Northern Ireland earlier in the day on Wednesday.

Both patients are in isolation in Northern Ireland and are receiving treatment.

One patient is associated with travel from an affected area in Northern Italy.

The other is associated with close contact with a confirmed case in the UK.

Public Health Authorities in Northern Ireland say they have activated contact tracing protocols.

“We now understand there are three confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, Dr. Tony Holohan, said earlier on Wednesday.

“Given that COVID-19 is a new disease it is understandable that its emergence may give rise to anxiety and fear among the general public. These factors can also give rise to harmful stereotypes.”

“This virus knows no borders, or race. Restricting travel into Ireland does not form a component of our current response. We must continue to focus on ensuring that everyone is informed, and knows what to do in the event they develop symptoms,” Dr Holohan said.

“It is essential that any decisions regarding responses to COVID-19 are proportionate, necessary and based on specific public health advice. No other response is appropriate,” he added.

“The general public should continue to follow HSE.ie and Gov.ie/health for accurate and informative information regarding Ireland’s response to COVID-19.”

The National Public Health Emergency Team case definition includes Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran and four regions in northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont) alongside mainland China.

The team says:

– anyone who has been to an affected region (mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran and four regions in northern Italy) in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should immediately self-isolate and call their GP

– anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should immediately self-isolate and call their GP

– anyone who has been to an affected region (China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Iran and four regions in northern Italy) in the last 14 days, and are well, should visit www.HSE.ie for advice.

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) to show.

Symptoms may include:

• a cough
• shortness of breath
• breathing difficulties
• fever (high temperature)

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) can also cause more severe illness, including:

• pneumonia
• shortness of breath
• breathing difficulties
• fever (high temperature)

Things you can do to protect yourself from getting Covid-19 (Coronavirus) include:

• wash your hand properly and regularly
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze
• Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub: – after coughing and sneezing – after toilet use – before eating – before and after preparing food