A secondary school in north Dublin is to close for two weeks after the Department of Health confirmed a man with the coronavirus had identified and made contact with the school.
Last night the department confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the South, adding that it had been contracted by a male living in the east of the country.
The principal, staff and parents of pupils of the school have been notified.
A HSE-headed letter sent to parents by text this evening, which Dublin Live has seen, reads: The letter from the HSE to parents at the school begins by saying: "A case of Novel Coronavirus has been identified in a person in" the school.
It continues: "As a result, to prevent the possible spread of infection the school has been closed from the 1st of March 2020 until Monday the 16th of March.
"As a precaution, all students and staff at the school are being treated as possible contacts of the case."
The letter goes on to explain what parents and students can expect in the coming days. It was accompanied by a information leaflet about COVID-19.
Following risk assessment, all pupils and teachers are being treated as close contacts of the confirmed case.
The school will close for 14 days, the duration of the incubation period.
All pupils and teachers have been asked to restrict their movements until the end of the incubation period and will receive guidance on the meaning of "restricted movements".
One parent who has two children in the school told Dublin Live that their children weren't showing any signs of symptoms and they "weren't worried at this stage".
The department has said public health doctors will actively follow-up with all students and teachers on a daily basis over the coming 14 days.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, said: "Contact tracing has assessed that close contacts of this patient includes pupils and teachers of a secondary school.
"Public health doctors are in direct contact with pupils, their parents and the staff involved.
"Patient confidentiality in this case, and in all cases, should be respected. The Department of Health will provide updated information as necessary.”
The Department of Education said: “The Department of Education is available to assist the school in any way necessary. The Departments of Education and Health are in regular contact.
"The closing of this school was a decision made on public health grounds after risk assessment deemed it appropriate. All other schools will remain open. The Departments will continue to communicate with all schools on this issue.”
