Around 60 staff at Cork University Hospital (CUH) have been asked to self-isolate after a case of the coronavirus at the hospital.
Yesterday a man who had been treated at CUH was confirmed to have Covid-19 in the first apparent case of community transmission in the Republic.
It's understood he had been in the hospital for up to a week and had been in contact with a number of people before he was tested.
CUH has cancelled outpatient appointments today, but dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation treatments and infusions will proceed as planned.
Last night they said most of those affected had already been contacted.
CUH switchboard is receiving a high volume of calls we need to keep phone lines open as much as possible. Outpatient appointments today are cancelled. Patients will be contacted if there are further cancellations. CUH can also be contact via the contact form on the CUH website.
— Cork University Hosp (@CUH_Cork) March 6, 2020
The case in CUH was one of seven new confirmed cases in the Republic announced yesterday, bringing the total number of cases here to 13.
Trinity College Dublin last night told staff and students it has been informed of a positive case of Covid-19 on its campus.
Martin Cormican of the HSE this morning said they are now assessing the risks associated with the virus.
He said some hospital services could be suspended if it continues to spread.
He told Newstalk Breakfast: "One of the things you can do is redeploy people - so, for example... you can suspend services that are less urgent.
"All of the healthcare services around Europe are looking at that idea."
Europe
There have now been just under 100,000 confirmed cases of the virus around the world - the vast majority of which have occurred in mainland China.
Italy remains the worst affected country in Europe, while South Korea and Iran have also reported thousands of cases.
Meanwhile, a second person has reportedly died from the virus in the UK.
A man, understood to be in his 80s, died at Milton Keynes hospital.
It is believed he had underlying health issues and doctors are awaiting official test results to confirm whether it was a case of COVID-19.
Other patients on the ward have been isolated and a deep clean has been carried out. Meanwhile, staff who treated the man have gone into isolation.
Symptoms
The HSE is urging anyone who has been to one of seven coronavirus-affected areas in the past two weeks and is experiencing symptoms of the virus to phone their local GP or Emergency Department without delay.
The symptoms are a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, fever (high temperature).
If you are feeling well, you are advised to carry on with your normal routine.
People are urged to contact the HSE on 1850 24 1850 if they think they have been in contact with a coronavirus patient or if they were at a healthcare facility in another country where coronavirus patients are being treated.
Health officials say there is no need for masks or gloves.
The best way to protect yourself from the virus is to:
- Wash your hands properly and often
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze
- Put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Avoid close contact with people who are not well.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
