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Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team

Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health, Dr. Tony Holohan said; “We are continuing to monitor the situation globally.

“While the overwhelming majority of cases to date have been reported in China, we continue to advance preparedness plans here in Ireland. We remain in a Containment Phase, and our actions are in line with guidance from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organisation.”

“Hospitals have designated leads for Covid-19 preparedness and isolation response requirements have been identified and are in place in order to deal appropriately with any suspected cases."

Dr Sarah Doyle, HSE Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: “The HSE has plans in place to respond to cases of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) in Ireland. If it’s possible that you have Covid-19 we want to know as soon as possible. This is so we can take the necessary public health measures to stop the virus from spreading in Ireland.

"If you have travelled from mainland China in the past 14 days and have shortness of breath, cough or fever, phone a doctor as soon as possible. If you have travelled from mainland China and have no symptoms contact HSE Live for advice.”

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

The next National Public Health Emergency Team meeting will take place Tuesday 25th February.

ENDSNotes to the Editor:

No information will be provided about individual activations of these plans or about individual cases of novel Coronavirus (2019-ncCoV) other than confirmed cases.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre website is updated daily at 13.00 with the latest information about the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Visit HPSC.ie

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of Coronavirus to show. Symptoms may include:

  • a cough
  • shortness of breath
  • breathing difficulties
  • fever (high temperature)

Coronavirus can also cause more severe illness including:

  • pneumonia
  • severe acute respiratory syndrome
  • kidney failure

Things you can do to protect yourself from getting Coronavirus include:

  • Wash your hands properly and regularly
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze

Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub:

  • After coughing or sneezing
  • After toilet use
  • Before eating
  • Before and after preparing food
  • If you are in contact with a sick person, especially those with respiratory symptoms
  • If your hands are dirty
  • If you have handled animals or animal waste

Read a step-by-step guide on how to properly wash your hands and help avoid infection