Breaking news - 4 cases of the coronavirus confirmed in west of Ireland tonight
Four more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the west of Ireland, bringing the total number of cases on the island of Ireland to nine.
The patients, two male and two female, are all associated with travel from the same affected area in northern Italy.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, said: "Tonight we can confirm there are now six cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. Contact tracing is under way for these four new cases."
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Earlier, two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total there to three.
The NI Department of Health said the cases were not connected and both patients were adults.
One person travelled back to Northern Ireland from northern Italy, while the other had contact with a person in the UK, who subsequently tested positive for the virus.
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The department said the latest patients were receiving appropriate care and they were working rapidly to identify any contact they may have had.
Queen's University Belfast said it has been informed by the Public Health Agency of a presumptive positive case of the virus within the university community.
It said it is now working to trace anyone who has been in contact with the individual to ensure they are supported to receive medical attention if required.
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"The university is open and operating as normal," it said.
It urged people to refer to its FAQs page on its website and the latest official advice and guidance from the Public Health Agency and other statutory bodies.
Earlier, Dr Holohan has said he does not believe the people who tested positive in Northern Ireland had travelled through the Republic.
Speaking at a press briefing in Dublin this evening, he said: "The contact tracing process has only begun. We have not been alerted to any cross-border aspect in terms of that contact tracing.
"It is still quite early in the contact tracing process so it is still possible, but there are no indications as of yet."
Dr Holohan also said there was no reason to cancel the St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world.
He said: "As things stand and on the basis of our assessment, we see no implications for the St Patrick's Day parade."
Earlier, Minister for Health Simon Harris warned that the virus could be with us "for months and months".
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