IRISHMAN HAS KILLER BUG
Patient confirmed with coronavirus after travelling from Italy hotspot
THE first case of the killer coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland was last night confirmed by the Department of Health.
A man in the east of the country contracted the deadly bug COVID-19 and is currently receiving medical care. He had recently travelled to an affected area in Northern Italy. Health Minster Simon Harris, left, said yesterday the arrival of the virus to Ireland “was not unexpected”. He added: “I would strongly encourage people to follow the guidance
and advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team, led by the Chief Medical Officer.”
The diagnosis is the second confirmed case of the coronavirus on the island of Ireland in three days.
A woman is currently being treated in the North for the killer bug. She had also travelled to Ireland from an affected area in Italy.
The Department of Health’s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “We have been preparing for this eventuality for many weeks now.
“Public health protocols have been in place since January and are operating effectively.
“The health service is well used to managing infectious diseases and has robust response measures in place.”
People who have been in close contact with the man have yet to all be identified.
But the Department of Health said the tracing process has started. Last night officials confirmed they were aware of the case in the last few hours and the tracing process has begun to make contact with the public who have been in
PREPARED Health Minister Simon Harris close proximity to the male. Dr Tony Holohan refused to say if the case in the North is connected to the man in the Republic. He said he would not state what county the man is living in or if he had travelled with anyone else in order to protect his identity. Dr Holohan added that the department “don’t believe it will necessarily be the last case” and added further cases are expected. Dr John Cuddihy, Director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said the HSE is “now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patient may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.” He added: “It is important to note that the risk of transmission through casual contact is low.” Meanwhile, the husband of British mum Nazanin Zaghari-ratcliffe jailed in Iran revealed she had caught the virus in prison. The infection has reportedly swept through the Tehran jail where Nazanin, 42, is serving five years for “plotting to topple the government”. In Liverpool, the Radisson Blu hotel has set up isolation rooms after a guest staying there after a trip to Thailand fell ill. He had been mixing with other guests. US officials last night confirmed the country’s first coronavirus death hours after a student near Seattle tested positive. America has 59 cases so far. In the UK, the government is set to bring in new emergency powers to try to stop the virus spreading after 10 cases were reported in just three days. Schools, councils and other parts of the public sector will be able to suspend laws – including health and safety measures – to cope with a pandemic. Its government has warned up to 70% of the population could develop the virus. It is believed prisoners in some of the UK’S most dangerous jails could be moved to NHS hospitals if infected. A source said: “Jails are overcrowded providing the perfect environment for the virus to spread.” Meanwhile, at Premier League games yesterday was the worrying shape of things to come – fans wearing masks. news@irishmirror.ie