Dr John Cuddihy, Dr Tony Holohan and Dr Ronan Glynn during a media update on the confirmed case of Covid-19. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

FOUR new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.

Two male and two female patients from the west of Ireland have tested positive for COVID-19, the National Public Health Emergency Team said this evening.

It is believed they may be part of the same family.

The patients are all associated with travel from the same affected area in northern Italy.

It brings to six the number of confirmed cases of the virus in the Republic.

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

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

“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.”

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One school has closed so far in Ireland, following the confirmation of the first case of coronavirus in the Republic - a male student who recently returned from an at-risk region in northern Italy.

Following a risk assessment, all pupils and teachers are being treated as close contacts of the confirmed case and the post-primary school in the east of the country has been shut for 14 days.

Ireland's second case of coronavirus was confirmed yesterday in a woman in the east of the country.

Expand Close An Emergency Department Nurse during a demonstration of the Coronavirus pod and COVID-19 virus testing procedures set-up beside the Emergency Department of Antrim Area Hospital in Northern Ireland. Photo: Michael Cooper/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp An Emergency Department Nurse during a demonstration of the Coronavirus pod and COVID-19 virus testing procedures set-up beside the Emergency Department of Antrim Area Hospital in Northern Ireland. Photo: Michael Cooper/PA Wire

It is understood she returned from northern Italy in recent days – but is not believed to have been in contact with a Dublin student who is currently being treated in hospital.

Up to Tuesday some 397 people were tested for the Covid-19 in the Republic– but just one tested positive.

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 it is so important that people wash their hands regularly, practice respiratory etiquette, and try to avoid touching their face.

The general public is advised to follow advice from the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to protect their health.

Any person concerned that they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) should immediately isolate themselves from others and contact their GP by phone.

In Northern Ireland, a Queen's University student is one of two new cases of the virus.

Both patients are adults and the two cases are not connected. One individual recently travelled from northern Italy. The other had recent contact with a person elsewhere in the UK who has subsequently tested positive for the virus.

The two new cases were confirmed by the Northern Ireland Department of Health on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, a Queen's University spokesperson said they are working with the Public Health Agency to identify anyone who has been in contact with the student infected.

They said they are taking all appropriate steps to contain any further spread of the virus and protect the welfare of all those within the university community and the wider public.

"The university remains open and is operating as normal. The university will continue to monitor the situation," the spokesperson added.

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"The university has provided online guidance for staff and students and encourages all members of the Queen's community to follow the latest official guidance from the Public Health Agency and other relevant authorities.

"The university's Major Incident Team has been convened and is putting in place the appropriate contingency measures which will be communicated to staff and students when appropriate."

Public Health Agency personnel are "working rapidly to identify contacts they may have had, with the aim of preventing further spread".

The test outcomes have been sent to Public Health England laboratories for verification.

Northern Ireland's Department of Health's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said the new cases had "no implications" for the Republic of Ireland and that the second case had not resulted from "person to person contact within Northern Ireland".

"What we are now doing is following up very detailed contact tracing, how that person travelled from northern Italy into Northern Ireland and taking appropriate steps so those who need a follow up will be contacted by our colleagues in the Public Health Agency," he said.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health, said they are keen to inform the public about coronavirus in a bid to tackle harmful stereotypes.

"We now understand there are three confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, five in total on the island of Ireland.

“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

"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," Dr Holohan said.

Northern Ireland health authorities are planning to send Covid-19 patients to England if they require further clinical treatment.

Dr Seamus O’Reilly, medical director for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, said: “If the test comes back positive there is a very well-rehearsed process that we do in conjunction with our colleagues in England.”

That involves assessing whether the patient requires care in a hospital then planning the logistics of the move.

“We identify an infectious diseases bed in England, if possible, to transfer the patient to.

“If we cannot transfer the patient across for whatever reason, the infectious diseases beds in the Royal (The Royal Victoria in west Belfast) will be used for that purpose, that is ward 7A.”

Tests are analysed in Belfast’s virology lab and the number which can be conducted has been increased.

Results will be ready within four hours, Dr O’Reilly added.

A demonstration on testing for the virus was held in Northern Ireland at Antrim Area Hospital on Wednesday.

Members of the media were given a walk through of the process of how suspected coronavirus patients would be tested.

Patients suspected of having the disease will be referred by their GP to the hybrid testing facility at Antrim Area Hospital.

People can be tested in their car or in a special coronavirus assessment pod by medical staff wearing protective masks and clothing.

Testing is currently taking place daily between 9 and 10am, with swabs taken from the patients nose and mouth and sent for testing, with results taking around five hours.

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