Irish Health chief Dr Michael McBride confirm first case of corona virus has been diagnosed in Ireland
The first case of corona-virus has been diagnosed in Northern Ireland, it is understood.
The adult patient had been in Italy and travelled north from Dublin in the Republic of Ireland, chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said.
The positive result has been sent to Public Health England laboratories for verification.It comes as a Derbyshire town went into lockdown today as a GP surgery shut, a primary school closed and residents were left too afraid to visit the shops, Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said the country has been preparing for a positive case
The patient is receiving specialist care and officials are working to identify any contacts the patient had to help prevent further spread.
The individual acted appropriately in reporting concerns to the health authorities but those most at risk who were in close proximity are being traced and checked, Dr McBride added.The senior official said: ‘The risk to the rest of the population is low.’
A special unit has been established at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for isolating those suffering from the virus but the health authorities were unable to confirm where the individual is being treated.
Dr McBride added: ‘We have been planning for the first positive case in Northern Ireland and have made clear that it was a question of when not if.
‘We have robust infection control measures in place which enable us to respond immediately.