Five New Coronavirus Cases Confirmed

Five new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Northern Ireland.

The Public Health Agency confirmed the further spread of the flu-like virus on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 12.

The search is on to trace people who have been in contact with the latest cases. Three were confirmed on Saturday and five more on Sunday, while two additional positive results have been returned in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the total there to 21.

Health officials are working to trace those who may have had contact with an amateur footballer who tested positive for Covid-19 after playing for a Co Armagh team at the weekend.

The player represents Portadown team Hanover FC. Coagh United in Co Tyrone and Glenavy-based Crewe United in Co Antrim are believed to be affected.

Meanwhile, the number of UK cases has risen to 319, up a further 46 on Sunday's total.

A fourth person has died after contracting the virus. The man in his 60s is reported to have had underlying health problems and had recently returned from Italy.

Globally, the number of people affected has surpassed 100,000, with around 3,600 deaths recorded.

The Covid-19 strain of the virus was first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, where the majority of deaths have occurred.

UK Chief Medical Officers have declared the risk to public health as moderate, while the risk to individuals remains low.

Advice for combating the spread of the disease is the same for a seasonal flu. If you cough or sneeze, use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose, throw it away carefully after use, and wash your hands.

Travellers who have visited countries believed to be at a higher risk are urged to self-isolate even if no symptoms have emerged. Individuals affected should stay indoors and contact the NHS 111 helpline for advice.

High risk areas include:

• Hubei province of China, including Wuhan

• Iran

• Daegu Metropolitan City and Cheongdo County in South Korea

• Any of these lockdown areas in Italy: Lombardy region (which includes the cities of Milan, Bergamo, Como) and the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini (all in Emilia Romagna); Pesaro e Urbino (in Marche); Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli (all in Piemonte); Padova. Treviso and Venice (in Veneto).

Travellers who have visited lower risk areas in the last 14 days do not need to undertake any special measures unless they have a cough, fever (temperature above 38˚C) or shortness of breath. Lower risk areas include:

• China (areas not mentioned in higher risk)

• Thailand

• Japan

• Republic of Korea (South Korea)

• Hong Kong

• Taiwan

• Singapore

• Malaysia

• Macau

or any of these places since 19 February 2020:

• All of Italy outside of the lockdown areas (including Sicily and Sardinia)

• Laos

• Myanmar

• Cambodia

• Vietnam



(JG/CM)