Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
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:
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:
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
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:
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:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) can also cause more severe illness, including:
Things you can do to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) include:
Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub: