Family of four in West of Ireland test positive for coronavirus

A family of four – two males and two females – in the West of Ireland have tested positive for coronavirus after returning from northern Italy.

It brings to nine the total number of cases on the island of Ireland – six in the Republic and three in the North.

“Tonight we can confirm there are now six cases of Covid-19 in Ireland,” Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, said.

“Contact tracing is under way for these four new cases.”

Earlier today, two further cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Northern Ireland, with the Department of Health there saying the cases were not connected and both patients were adults.

One person travelled back to Northern Ireland from northern Italy, while the other had contact with a person in the UK, who subsequently tested positive for the virus.

More to follow.