Minister Harris meets European colleagues to discuss COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 13 February 2020
- Last updated on: 13 February 2020
Minister for Health Simon Harris TD will today attend an emergency European Health Ministers meeting to discuss the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Speaking in advance of the meeting Minster Harris noted that, to date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Ireland.
Minister Harris said:
"There are no cases of Coronavirus in Ireland but we remain vigilant.
"The National Public Health Emergency Team is overseeing and providing direction and expert advice across the health service and the wider public service, on the national response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
"It is important Ireland continues to monitor the situation and to participate in the international assessment of response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) through the European Centre for Disease Control and the WHO.
"We should continue to work on a European level to ensure all measures are taken."
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
No information will be provided about individual activations of these plans or about individual cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) other than confirmed cases.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre website is updated daily at 13.00 with the latest information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Visit HPSC.ie
It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to show. Symptoms may include:
- A cough
- Shortness of breath
- Breathing difficulties
- Fever (high temperature)
Coronavirus can also cause more severe illness including:
- Pneumonia
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome
- Kidney failure
Things you can do to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) include:
- Wash your hands properly and regularly
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze
Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub:
- After coughing or sneezing
- After toilet use
- Before eating
- Before and after preparing food
- If you are in contact with a sick person, especially those with respiratory symptoms
- If your hands are dirty
- If you have handled animals or animal waste
Read a step-by-step guide on how to properly wash your hands and help avoid infection