The Department of Health has confirmed nine new cases of Novel Coronavirus.
Therefore 43 is now the total in the Republic of Ireland.
An announcement came just hours after the first death from Covid-19, a woman in the East of the country, was confirmed.
Here's a breakdown of the new cases:
- 4 males from the East, associated with travel.
- 1 female from the South, after contact with a confirmed case.
- 1 male from the South, after contact with a confirmed case.
- 3 males from the East, two associated with travel and one after contact with a confirmed case.
First Death In The Republic
Earlier the Department of Health confirmed Ireland's first death of a Novel Coronavirus patient.
The woman who contracted the virus died in a hospital in the east of the country.
She is one of 34 people to have contracted the virus so far in Ireland.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has expressed his condolences.
"I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of this patient."
"I urge the media and the public to respect their privacy at this difficult time."
"We continue our efforts to interrupt the transmission of this virus. It will take all of us, collectively to succeed. Please continue to follow public health advice."
East Of The Country
The woman was elderly and had an underlying illness.
Staff at a hospital were treating her for respiratory problems when she was diagnosed with COVID 19.
So it's been confirmed that she has sadly passed away in a hospital in the east of the country.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
"We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020
Global Pandemic Announced
In conclusion the Novel Coronavirus has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
While Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has hit out at nations who aren't responding strongly.
“Some countries are struggling with a lack of capacity, some countries are struggling with a lack of resources, some countries are struggling with a lack of resolve.”
Above all, keep washing your hands.
