First case of Covid-19 detected in Irish patient who has not been abroad
A CASE of coronavirus has been detected for the first time in a patient who had not travelled overseas.
According to the Independent.ie it understands a person in Cork has contracted the virus - but unlike other Irish cases they have not been to northern Italy in recent weeks.
It is also believed the person was not in contact with any of the existing known cases. This raises the spectre of community spread of the virus.
One health source indicated the latest case may indicate that the virus has been undetected within the community in Ireland for some time before the first case was confirmed.
Cork University Hospital (CUH) has now displayed 'infection outbreak' signs and warned that visitors are not allowed within specific sections of the hospital.
It is understood the detection involves a Corkman.
He was being treated for a separate and unrelated health condition on a busy ward in CUH.
All those who were in close proximity to the patient in CUH will now have to be traced and tested.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said the restrictions at CUH were in accordance with infection control protocols.
"This is in the interest of patient care and in order to prevent infections within the hospital."
However, the CUH emergency department remains open and routine ward operations are continuing as normal.
The visitor ban came as Cork recorded the seventh confirmed case of Covid-19 in the Republic - and the tenth on the island.
There were already six confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic - two in Dublin and four in Clare.
All four in Clare involve members of the same family.
An adult in the family worked within the health sector
All Irish cases up until now had been linked to travel to northern Italy which has experienced Europe's highest concentration of virus cases.
In all Irish cases, the patients are responding well to treatment.
Multiple suspected cases in Cork and Kerry over the past three weeks have tested negative for the virus.
The Cork detection came after doctors were investigating why the patient, who was being treated for a long-term health issue, was still unwell despite specific medications being administered.
Public health doctors have now begun contact tracing of all those connected with the Cork patient.
The individual remains in isolation.
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