St Pat’s party could be next..

events. We have clarified to the relevant authorities our readiness to respond in whatever way is required of us in the best interests of public safety.”

Apart from Dublin, hundreds more events are planned for every town and village across the country.

Tourism Ireland chief executive

Niall Gibbons said the industry is going through short-term difficulties as a result of the outbreak – but it is important to stay calm.

He told RTE News the industry dealt with serious events before such as the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001 and the 9/11 terror attacks in the US. Health Minister Simon Harris

urged people to listen to public health protocols. Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the HSE is working to inform people who were in contact with the patient to prevent transmission.

Around 2,000 people have contacted a HSE helpline in the past week over the virus with 300 callers referred to

public health doctors. Health chiefs have acted early and bought 700,000 gowns, four million gloves, 1.5 million surgical masks and 13,500 personal protective equipment packs for GPS, out-of-hours services and clinics.

Dr Kim Roberts, a professor of microbiology at Trinity College Dublin, said there is no need to panic as officials had been prepared for confirmation of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, people returning from virus-hit areas with symptoms such as fever, cough or breathing difficulties must phone their GP or local A&E immediately – but not go there.

The HSE said they should avoid contact with the public by selfhas isolating at home. The affected areas are China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Iran and Japan, as well as the Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-romagna and Piedmont regions of northern Italy.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has asked anyone who may have been in contact with a person who has COVID-19, or who has been to the outbreak areas to contact HSE Live on 1850 24 1850.

Anyone worried about Irish citizens in virus hot zones have been urged to contact the Department on 01 613 1733.

WITH a confirmed case of the coronavirus in Ireland, a question mark hangs over the St Patrick’s Day celebrations here.

This killer bug, with a case now confirmed in the North, could halt festivities and undo the months of hard work from organisers.

Not only is Paddy’s Day important to Irish culture – and good for a day off work – it is also a big day for businesses as tens of thousands flock to our shores for the craic agus ceol.

These restaurants, hotels, pubs and shops depend a great deal on the revenue brought in during Paddy’s Day – let’s hope it won’t fall victim to the coronavirus this year.