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The seven new cases of coronavirus detected in Ireland include the first confirmed case of community transmission, since the patient had not travelled to an infected area.

The case of community transmission is a man in Cork with an underlying medical condition. He had not travelled to Italy or been in contact with other confirmed cases.

He is being treated at Cork University Hospital, which announced it was cancelling outpatient appointments on Friday.

Cork University Hosp (@CUH_Cork) All outpatient appointments in CUH have been cancelled for tomorrow Friday 6th March - patients will be contacted and rescheduled as soon as possible. Strict visiting restrictions remain in place. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Ireland’s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the country remains in the containment phase, but warned it is a “rapidly evolving situation” and urged a “national effort” to stymie potential spread.

Ireland remains in containment phase with just one case of community transmission. Public health doctors are working hard to ensure our containment measures are operating effectively. Most people who become infected with covid-19 experience a mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for some. However, this will need a national effort. Every individual needs to be aware of how to protect their own health and the health of others.

The Health Service Executive said in a statement on Thursday night it was working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had to prevent further spread.



One of the cases confirmed on Wednesday – a member of a family of four in the west of Ireland – is a health professional, it has emerged.

Four of the latest cases are travel related from northern Italy, involving four males from the east of the country. Two are associated with close contact with a confirmed case and involve two females in the west of the country.

The seventh case is a male, who the Department of Health have described as being “associated with Cork University Hospital” and that is the first case of community transmission. A risk assessment is under way at the hospital.



There are now 13 confirmed covid-19 cases in the Republic of Ireland, as well as three in Northern Ireland - bringing the total number of cases on the island to 16.