The sign of peace will be suspended in most Catholic Masses here to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The latest set of measures to prevent infection comes as the World Health Organisation raised the global threat assessment to “very high”.

The HSE said it is on high alert for a likely first case of coronavirus here amid growing fears more people could return after contracting the deadly virus in Italy.

The first patient to be diagnosed with coronavirus in Northern Ireland was being monitored in her home last night after public health doctors had to track down a group of passengers who could have been exposed to infection after sharing an Aer Lingus flight and train with the mother and her daughter.

The woman had been on a skiing trip in northern Italy and flew back into Dublin.

The spread of the virus has caused economic shock waves as an estimated €5.4trn has been wiped off global stock markets this week.

The HSE yesterday issued advice for religious gatherings that holy communion should be given to congregation in their hands only and not on the tongue.

Holy water fonts should not be used and instead of the sign of peace Mass-goers have been told to smile or nod at each other.

The advice comes in the run-up to first communion season.

The World Health Organisation warned its assessment of the risk of spread of coronavirus has been raised to "very high" at global level.

Director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the continued increase in the number of coronavirus cases and in the number of affected countries over the last days was "clearly of concern" but there was still a chance it could be contained.

Health Minister Simon Harris, who travelled to Dublin Airport yesterday amid evidence the airline industry is suffering a financial blow from the impact of the virus, said all of the woman's closest contacts were notified overnight.

The Aer Lingus cabin crew went into self-isolation while the aircraft was also deep cleaned and not used for 16 hours.

Irish Rail also carried out a major clean of the Enterprise train which leaves Connolly Station in Dublin for Belfast although a spokesman said it was not informed if the woman used the transport.

Mr Harris said: "If people have not heard from the public health authorities, they need not be concerned in relation to this case. That is the assurance that we are providing people."

Hundreds of airline passengers were notified and those in the nearest seats were told of the risk and the need for self-isolation.

Other passengers were told they do not need to self-isolate but they should monitor themselves for any symptoms over the next two weeks.

Only those sitting nearest to the infected woman on the mainline train were contacted.

No case of the virus has been confirmed in the Republic but there has been a surge in suspected cases which may force the health service to start home testing.

This would see a nurse travelling to the home of the suspected case to take a swab which would be analysed in a laboratory.

The first case on the island has sparking a high degree of anxiety among the public as pharmacies were faced with a rush of people buying masks and sanitiser and supermarkets reported more "stocking up."

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan again appealed to anyone who had been to any of the at-risk countries who has potential symptoms of the virus to phone their GP and be assessed for a test for the virus.

The alert continues for people with symptoms who returned in the last 14 days from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran and four areas in northern Italy - Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia- Romagna and Piedmont.

Four more people have died in Italy from coronavirus bringing the toll to 21 with 888 cases - a jump from 650 the previous day.

Aer Lingus has seen a fall in bookings to northern Italy as flyers worry about the virus.

Mr Harris said airline passengers will be given more information at airports around the country about the virus, at-risk areas and the need to seek medical help if they develop symptoms when they return home.

"We are stepping this up and there will be a presence as appropriate at all our regional airports from today as well."

He said he would reiterate the point that it is really important people get their information from reputable public health sources.

Irish Independent