‘There are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland’ – HSE responds to suspected Coronavirus case in South East
The Department of Health and Health Service Executive (HSE) has said there is no confirmed case of Coronavirus (novel CoVid-19) at University Hospital Waterford.
It follows reports this morning that a person presented to UHW with possible symptoms of the virus which is sweeping China at the moment.
KilkennyNow.ie contacted the office at the Department of Health specifically set up to deal with novel CoVid-19, as well as hospital management to ask about the report.
The Department of Health spokesperson told us: “To date, there are no confirmed cases of CoVid-19 (Coronavirus) in Ireland.
“The HSE and the Department of Health are not providing information about individual activation of preparedness plans or about individual cases of novel Covid-19 (Coronavirus) other than confirmed cases.
“The approach which has been taken to date in Ireland is in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control,” the spokesperson said.
So far 65 people have been tested in Ireland after displaying symptoms of the virus, all have returned negative.
“The Irish health system is currently operating a containment strategy in line with global practice, and all our efforts are focused on identifying suspected cases as they arise and initiating measures to prevent onward transmission of the virus.
“Anyone returning from China in the last 14 days, and experiencing symptoms associated with Covid-19 is instructed to self- isolate and contact the health service via phone or email,” the spokesperson concluded.
