Trinity College Dublin says it has been informed of a case of coronavirus on its campus.
In a note to staff and students, the university said they were informed of the case late last night.
They said the HSE will trace anyone who has been in contact with the affected person.
Some areas of the campus have been closed as a precaution.
A case of coronavirus has been confirmed at Trinity College. Staff and students told that the university is operating as normal but that “the situation remains fluid”. pic.twitter.com/W74xXehJwj
— Marita Moloney (@MaritaMoloney) March 5, 2020
The note adds that the HSE and university will "take all appropriate steps" to contain any further spread of the virus and protect the welfare of all staff and students.
It comes after health officials last night said there have now been seven more confirmed cases in the Republic - bringing the total number to 13.
One of the cases is the first known case of community transmission in the country.
Pictured (L to R) Director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre Dr John Cuddihy, Chief Medical Office Dr Tony Holohan, and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn at a press briefing about COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the Department of Health on Baggot Street. Photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ieOfficials do not know where the male - who is being treated at Cork University Hospital (CUH) - contracted Covid-19.
He had neither travelled to an affected area nor been in close contact with someone known to have the virus.
CUH has now cancelled outpatient appointments and put visitor restrictions in place.
Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, Tony Holohan, said they'd like to be able to explain how every case had arisen while Ireland remains in the containment phase of tackling the virus.
He said: "As things stand, we're not able to explain how that particular case has arisen.
"That gives rise to the possibility that there is some community transmission.
"It is a single case, and this is the pattern that this infection is likely to follow."
Four of the other new cases are travel-related from northern Italy and are males in the east of the country.
Two females in the west, meanwhile, are associated with close contact with another confirmed case.
Contact tracing is now underway in all cases, with health officials working "rapidly" to identify anyone the seven patients may have had close contact with.
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.
