Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 25 February 2020
- Last updated on: 25 February 2020
90 suspected cases of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) tested in Ireland.
To date, there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) in Ireland.
The National Public Health Emergency Team met today (Tuesday, 25 February) as part of its continuous assessment of Ireland’s response and preparedness to Covid-19.
The National Public Health Emergency Team has today recommended:
- algorithms be updated to reflect an expanded list of affected regions to include Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran, four regions in northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont) alongside mainland China
- the upcoming series of Ireland v Italy rugby matches on the weekend of Saturday, 7 March not to go ahead on public health grounds
- the establishment of an expert sub-group to develop criteria for the risk assessment of other mass gatherings
- Ireland’s containment strategy to transition to the isolation of suspected COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in community settings, once tested
- an increase in the level of public awareness campaigns at ports and airports to commence immediately
Speaking after the National Public Health Emergency Team meeting, Minister for Health Simon Harris, said:
“The National Public Health Emergency Team continues to monitor Ireland's preparedness in light of the evolving situation in Europe and globally.
“Today’s recommendations reflect the continuous assessment and adaptation capability of Ireland’s response to COVID-19, which will be ongoing as the situation unfolds.
“I welcome the recommendation to cancel the series of Ireland v Italy rugby matches, which was made in the interest of public health."
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Dept of Health, elaborated:
“Having assessed recent developments in Europe and globally, Ireland remains in a Containment Phase. However, based on European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) guidelines, the cancellation of mass gatherings in this phase is justified in exceptional circumstances, and today’s recommendation to cancel the series of Ireland v Italy rugby matches is based on the rapidly evolving nature of the outbreak in northern Italy, and the consequent risk of importation of cases into Ireland were the match to go ahead.
“Additionally, National Public Health Emergency Team has established a subgroup to develop criteria for the risk assessment of other mass gatherings. These criteria will be based on guidance from the European Centre for Disease Control and WHO."
The National Public Health Emergency Team has identified a new case definition to include Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran and four regions in northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont) alongside mainland China.
Therefore, Ireland’s public health advice is now updated to:
- anyone who has been to an affected region (mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran and four regions in northern Italy) in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should self-isolate and call their GP
- anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should immediately self-isolate and call their GP
- anyone who has been to an affected region (China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Iran and four regions in northern Italy) in the last 14 days, and are well, should visit www.HSE.ie for advice
Algorithms will be updated to reflect the expansion of the list of affected regions and the updated algorithms will be distributed across the health system.
Speaking specifically of people returning from the affected regions in northern Italy, Dr Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health, advised:
"GPs are equipped to assess each case making contact with the service and may progress the case to testing, if they deem it necessary, following risk assessment.
“Anyone who has been to the affected regions in northern Italy - Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont - in the last 14 days and has a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or fever should self-isolate and phone their GP immediately.
“Anyone who has travelled from the affected regions in northern Italy and has no symptoms should visit www.HSE.ie for advice.
"The most important action we can take to protect ourselves from Covid-19 is regular hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene.”
The National Public Health Emergency Team is also recommending to transition the isolation of suspected COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases to community settings, once tested.
Following on from the increased number of COVID-19 cases in Italy, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) now rates the risk of the occurrence of similar clusters of cases in other EU countries as moderate to high.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
Key elements of Irelands preparedness include:
HSE Preparedness
All acute hospitals have identified isolation facilities specific to Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
Acute hospitals are establishing multi-disciplinary COVID-19 (Coronavirus) preparedness committees to oversee implementation of the Health Protection
The critical care services have developed management guidance for the care of any patients with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) who should require their services
The National Ambulance Service is actively engaged in risk assessment for all suspected COVID-19 cases and the appropriate response to case recognition and containment.
More than 13,500 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) packs have been distributed to GP Out of Hours Services, Public Health Departments and GP Practices
Ports and Airports
There are no entry restrictions to Ireland at present.
To date, entry screening at ports and airports is not recommended by WHO or the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC).
Effective public health protocols in place at ports and airports include:
- airline crews have been briefed by HSE in recent weeks
- in the event of a suspected case, contact tracing forms will be distributed to all passengers and pass completed forms to HSE lead personnel at the incident site
- prior to disembarking passengers will be advised to contact their GPs should they develop symptoms within the following 14 days
- the airline is instructed to decontaminate the aircraft in accordance with WHO aviation hygiene standards
Advice to employers
If your employees have no symptoms, you do not need to take any measures in the workplace. There is no need for them to stay off work or to remain separate from other people.
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)
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) can also cause more severe illness, including:
- pneumonia
- shortness of breath
- breathing difficulties
- fever (high temperature)
Things you can do to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) include:
- wash your hand 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 and sneezing
- after toilet use
- before eating
- before and after preparing food