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The HSE is warning anyone with "normal cold and flu like symptoms to self-isolate" and to ring their GP on Monday.

The Health Service Executive has said that GP Out of Hours Services, HSELive and 112 and 999 have been receiving a high number of calls today from people who want to be tested for the deadly COVID-19 bug.

They are urging anyone with a normal cold and flu or who believe they may have been in contact with someone with coronavirus to act quickly.

In a statement, they said: "The HSE is working to have new electronic processes operational from Monday, March 16 next to allow General Practitioners more easily order testing for patients where clinically indicated.

"Members of the public who have normal cold and flu like symptoms or who believe they may have been in contact with COVID-19 are being asked to self-isolate and to ring their GP on Monday, who will then be in a position to triage patients appropriately and order a test where indicated.

"The HSE is working this weekend to ensure that sufficient testing facilities are in place by Monday to meet the increased demand.

"GPs Out of Hours services are not in a position to order testing for patients with normal cold and flu like symptoms.

"HSELive is an information line and similarly not in a position to order testing for members of the public.

"The public are asked to reserve 112/999 for medical emergencies at all times."

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE added: " While we appreciate people’s concern about COVID-19, we would ask for their patience as we respond to the increasing requirement for testing.

I completely understand people feeling concern and anxiety.

We will all work together as a health service to provide the information you need, and to provide the testing and health care needed for those who do develop illness due to COVID-19.

What is the Coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause respiratory infections. There are seven known strains that can infect humans, including the new virus detected in China. They range in how serious they are, with some causing a common cold, and others causing pneumonia. To date, the most famous coronavirus is the SARS virus, which has a mortality rate of between 9% and 50%, depending on the age of the patient. Under a microscope, coronaviruses have a crown shape, which is where they get their name - 'corona' means crown in Latin. What are the symptoms of the China coronavirus? Health officials in China have reported that early symptoms of the new coronavirus include a high fever, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness of the chest. It causes viral pneumonia, and in severe cases it has led to kidney failure and death. People with weakened immune systems, babies and the elderly are particularly susceptible to coronaviruses. Is it contagious? While authorities initially believed that every single case of the new coronavirus was linked to the seafood market in Wuhan, China's National Health Commission has now confirmed that the disease can spread from person to person. At least two people have caught the new coronavirus from family members, and it's believed that health workers have also been infected. Coronaviruses are typically spread through the air, with infected people coughing or sneezing, or by close personal contact, such as shaking hands. It's also possible to be infected by touching an object or surface with the virus on it, and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands. Is it fatal? Numerous people have died of the coronavirus, although most are thought to have had pre-existing medical conditions. Is there a treatment for coronavirus? As the coronavirus is a virus, there is no treatment. Patients can be given pain medication to relieve the symptoms, but the virus will not respond to antibiotics.

The public should go to the HSE website in the first instance if they are concerned about COVID-19.”

On Friday, a further 20 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.

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This brings the total number of cases on the island of Ireland to 119 - 90 in the Republic of Ireland and 29 in Northern Ireland.