ALTHOUGH the Department of Health and the HSE are refusing to comment on individual cases, it is understood that a patient admitted to University Hospital complaining of symptoms similar to the coronavirus has tested negative.
KillarneyToday.com revealed yesterday that a woman has been placed in isolation at the hospital awaiting the results of tests.
It is understood the patient, who complaining of respiratory problems and was quite unwell, may have been in close contact with people who recently travelled from China.
As a precautionary measure, the woman, from Killarney, was immediately placed in isolation and all staff in the unit were adhering to strict control and hygiene criteria.
In a brief emailed reply to questions submitted by KillarneyToday.com, a department official stated: “To date, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ireland. The department does not comment on individual cases, other than confirmed cases.”
The spokesperson added: “Ireland is well positioned to detect and respond to a case of novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that might arise here”.
Symptoms of the coronavirus can include shortness of breath, coughing, breathing difficulties and a high temperature. The virus can possibly lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome or kidney failure.
Up to this Thursday, 28,284 laboratory-confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection have been reported, including 565 deaths.
Cases have been reported on the following continents:
Asia: China (28,057), Japan (45), Singapore (28), Thailand (25), Republic of Korea (23), Malaysia (12), Taiwan (11), Vietnam (10), United Arab Emirates (5), India (3), Philippines (3), Cambodia (1), Nepal (1), Sri Lanka (1).
America: United States (12) and Canada (5).
Oceania: Australia (14).
Europe: Germany (12), France (6), Italy (2), United Kingdom (2), Russia (2), Belgium (1), Finland (1), Spain (1), Sweden (1).
Of the 565 deaths reported, 564 have been reported from China and one from the Philippines.
© KillarneyToday.com is the 24/7 online news service provided by O’Mahony Media
Advertise for 2020 and ensure your message reaches 18,000 readers every day, over 300,000 viewers every month and over 23,000 followers on Facebook
