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Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team

90 suspected cases of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) tested in IrelandTo date, there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) in Ireland

The National Public Health Emergency Team met today (Tuesday, 25 February) as part of its continuous assessment of Ireland’s response and preparedness to Covid-19.

The National Public Health Emergency Team has today recommended:

  • Algorithms be updated to reflect an expanded list of affected regions to include Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran, four regions in northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont) alongside mainland China.
  • The upcoming Ireland vs Italy rugby match on Saturday, 7 March not to go ahead on public health grounds
  • The establishment of an expert sub-group to develop criteria for the risk assessment of other mass gatherings
  • Ireland’s containment strategy to transition to the isolation of suspected COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in community settings once tested
  • An increase in the level of public awareness campaigns at ports, airports, schools and public offices, to commence immediately

Speaking after the National Public Health Emergency Team meeting, Minister for Health Simon Harris, said:

The National Public Health Emergency Team continues to monitor Ireland's preparedness in light of the evolving situation in Europe and globally.

Today’s recommendations reflect the continuous assessment and adaptation capability of Ireland’s response to COVID-19, which will be ongoing as the situation unfolds.

I welcome the recommendation to cancel the Ireland v Italy rugby match, which was made in the interest of public safety.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Dept of Health, elaborated:

Having assessed recent developments in Europe and globally, Ireland remains in a Containment Phase. However, based on European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) guidelines, the cancellation of mass gatherings in this phase is justified in exceptional circumstances, and today’s recommendation to cancel the Ireland v Italy rugby match is based on the rapidly evolving nature of the outbreak in northern Italy, and the consequent risk of importation of cases into Ireland were the match to go ahead.

Additionally, National Public Health Emergency Team has established a subgroup to develop criteria for the risk assessment of other mass gatherings. These criteria will be based on guidance from the European Centre for Disease Control and WHO.

The National Public Health Emergency Team has identified a new case definition to include Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran & four regions in northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont) alongside mainland China. Therefore, Ireland’s public health advice is now updated to:

  • Anyone who has been to an affected region (mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran & four regions in northern Italy) in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should self-isolate and call their GP
  • Anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should immediately self-isolate and call their GP
  • Anyone who has been to an affected region (China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Iran & four regions in northern Italy) in the last 14 days, and are well, should visit www.HSE.ie for advice

Algorithms will be updated to reflect the expansion of the list of affected regions and the updated algorithms will be distributed across the health system.  

Speaking specifically of people returning from the affected regions in northern Italy, Dr Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health, advised:

GPs are equipped to assess each case making contact with the service and may progress the case to testing, if they deem it necessary, following risk assessment.

Anyone who has been to the affected regions in northern Italy - Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont - in the last 14 days and has a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or fever should self-isolate and phone their GP immediately.

Anyone who has travelled from the affected regions in northern Italy and has no symptoms should visit www.HSE.ie for advice.

The most important action we can take to protect ourselves from Covid-19 is regular hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene.

The National Public Health Emergency Team is also recommending to transition the investigation of suspected COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases from acute hospitals to the community.

 

Following on from the increased number of COVID-19 cases in Italy, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) now rates the risk of the occurrence of similar clusters of cases in other EU countries as moderate to high.