THE FIRST case of coronavirus in Ireland has been confirmed.
According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, man from the eastern part of the country has contracted the potentially fatal virus.
He is currently receiving medical care in line with appropriate infection prevention measures.
No other update has been provided on his condition.
The Department for Health said that the man travelled to Ireland from an affected area in northern Italy.
Authorities are keen to stress he did not catch the virus through contact with any other confirmed case on the island of Ireland.
Efforts are already under way to try and locate anyone who may have come into contact with the man.
Anyone who may be affected will be notified by the authorities and advised on the correct course of action.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre is also working to identify all stages of his journey.
Despite the first confirmed case, they are keen to stress that the risk to the general public from Covid-19 is still low.
While this may change, the general public is being advised to continue to go to work or school.
In the meantime, Department of Health is urging anyone displaying symptoms of the virus to report them to the appropriate health services immediately in order to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.
The case comes just three days after a woman in Northern Ireland tested positive for coronavirus.
She had returned to Northern Ireland from Italy, travelling via Dublin Airport.
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