The first patient of the coronavirus on the island of Ireland travelled through Dublin Airport, it has emerged.
The news was confirmed during a briefing by Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency this evening.
The patient has been placed in isolation at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
And it's understood the person travelled through the Republic after returning from a trip to Italy.
The agency said the patient had been to northern Italy and then travelled home to Northern Ireland via Dublin.
Asked whether the person is from Northern Ireland, Dr McBride said: "I think the most important thing here is that we respect patient confidentiality so I'm not going to disclose any personal details about this individual.
"It would be inappropriate for me to do so.
"It would be wrong for me to do so."
He added that he would not confirm where the individual is being held.
Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency are working rapidly to identify any contacts the patient had.
Director of the Irish Patients Association, Stephen McMahon, told the Irish Mirror last night: “It’s no surprise there has been a case confirmed in Ireland.
“It is now a call to action for people to listen to what our healthcare authorities are saying and take precautions against coronavirus.”
