A top doctor in the UK has claimed that the loss of taste and smell could be symptoms of coronavius.
According to the World Health Organisation, the three main symptoms are a dry cough, fever and shortness of breath.
But Professor Nirmal Kumar, a consultant otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon, explained that younger patients may not experience mainstream symptoms.
He told Sky News: "In young patients, they do not have any significant symptoms such as the cough and fever, but they may have just the loss of sense of smell and taste, which suggests that these viruses are lodging in the nose."
In a statement, the British Association of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT UK) said that loss of taste and smell could be symptoms of the virus.
It said: "Evidence from other countries that the entry point for the coronavirus is often in the eyes, nose and throat areas.
"We have also identified a new symptom (loss of sense of smell and taste) that may mean that people without other symptoms but with just the loss of this sense may have to self-isolate - again to reduce the spread of the virus."
Dr Nathalie MacDermott, clinical lecturer at King's College London, also told Sky that infections through the nose or throat often lead to the loss of taste and smell, but said that the research surrounding possible new symptoms isn't widespread in the medical community.
To date, there are now a total of 683 cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.
Of the total notified cases (438), 32% have been hospitalised.
Dublin has the highest number of cases with 51% followed by Cork at 15%, Wicklow and Limerick have 3% each.
Around one in four of those who have tested positive for Covid-19 in Ireland are healthcare workers.
Monaghan is now the only county with no cases of coronavirus at the moment.
