A second case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.
The Department of Health said in a statement issued on Tuesday that a woman in the east of Ireland had been diagnosed with teh virus. She is currently receiving appropriate care.
The case is associated with travel from an affected area in Northern Italy, rather than contact with another confirmed case.
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.
The National Public Health Emergency Team met on Tuesday as part of its continuous assessment of Ireland’s response and preparedness to Covid-19.
There has been a notable increase in the number of cases tested in Ireland, from 90 to 397 in one week.
The statement said that this was expected following the expansion of the case definition from Mainland China to include Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran and four regions in northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont).
The National Public Health Emergency Team recommended that HSE move to a community testing model for assessment and investigation of suspect cases. Suspect cases will be assessed in their home by National Ambulance Service staff, ensuring hospital avoidance and infection spread is limited.
The National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended that, on public health grounds, the travel advice for Italy is updated to advise against all non-essential travel to the following four regions; (Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont). The Department of Foreign Affairs has updated its website to reflect this.
“Ireland has now confirmed a second case of Covid-19. While not unexpected we urge the general public to continue to take advice from HSE and Department of Health on how best to protect your health," Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said.
“Ireland remains in containment and unlike some other EU regions, has yet to experience any local transmission. The National Public Health Emergency Team continues to monitor the situation globally. The general public are urged to follow hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette and stay informed of the evolving situation through reputable sources such as HSE and Department of Health.”
