Nine new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Ireland.

Meanwhile, the first death of a patient suffering from the virus has also been recorded in the country.

The woman died in a hospital in the east of the country. She was elderly and was suffering from an underlying medical condition.

She was initially treated in hospital for respiratory problems before being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, 28-02-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

In a statement, Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, said: “I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of this patient.”

“I urge the media and the public to respect their privacy at this difficult time.

“We continue our efforts to interrupt the transmission of this virus. It will take all of us, collectively to succeed. Please continue to follow public health advice.”

Sad news this afternoon that Ireland has experienced its first death as a result of the coronavirus. A woman with underlying health problems has died in a hospital in the east of the country. #COVID19

— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) March 11, 2020

This evening, Dr Holohan confirmed nine new cases of the virus around the country.

He said the woman who died was diagnosed with the virus while her death was being certified.

“All we will be saying is that the death took place in the last 24 hours,” he said.

“The diagnosis was part of the certification of the death of the individual.”

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says the person's death happened within the last 24 hours.

He says the case of COVID 19 was diagnosed as part of the certification of the patients death

— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) March 11, 2020

Nine new cases

He said all nine new cases are either associated with travel or associated with contact with previously confirmed cases.

It brings the total on the island of Ireland to 61 – with 43 in the Republic and 18 in the North.

The new cases in the Republic include:

• Six men associated with travel - two in the east and four in the south.
• A woman and a man in the south of the country associated with contact with a confirmed case.
• A man in the east associated with a confirmed case.

Dr Holohan said the HSE is now "working rapidly" to identify any contacts the may have had.

He said authorities were now moving to "enhance and step-up" the Containment Phase and said people should take a number of steps to limit the spread of the virus.

He said the public should continue to practice everyday preventative actions include hand-washing, cough/sneeze etiquette and avoiding shaking hands and close personal contact.

People should also limit their social interactions and avoid indoor, crowded spaces.

Members of the public are also reminded to avoid close contact with people who are sick and familiarise themselves with the symptoms of COVID-19.

New Phase

This afternoon, the chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid said Ireland was entering a new phase in its response to the virus.

He did not elaborate on what this would mean; however, the Government has previously said it was planning for three phases of response.

The phases are Containment, Delay and Mitigation.

COVID-19

There are currently 52 confirmed cases of the virus on the island of Ireland – 34 in the Republic and 18 in the North.

In its update this afternoon, Northern Ireland’s Department of Health said the two new cases it diagnosed today can be traced to a previously reported case that travelled to northern Italy.

Medical authorities in the North have so far completed tests on 246 people.

The HSEs National Public Health Emergency Team is due to give a further update on cases in the Republic later today.

Testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in two new presumptive positive cases for coronavirus (Covid-19) bringing the total to 18.https://t.co/7qy7A5N3Um#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/pQiyDiGo0h

— Department of Health (@healthdpt) March 11, 2020

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.
• Stay at home if you are sick.
• Follow the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.