People suspected of having the killer coronavirus but refuse to self-isolate could be forced into quarantine, the HSE insisted.
It has asked the Department of Health to legally change the infectious disease list to include Covid-19, which has killed over 1,300 in China.
Under existing laws in this country, public health doctors have powers to force people into isolation if they have an infectious disease such as TB or cholera.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, assistant national director for the HSE,
said we are likely to see a case of the coronavirus in Ireland and we’ll be hearing about the killer disease for another four months.
At a media briefing yesterday Dr Kelleher said: “If we have somebody who is a suspect we would want them to be in hospital at the moment so everybody so far that has been in that position has come into hospital with us.
“It is quite catastrophic and quick so we don’t want that to happen.
“The HSE sought the change they said they would get it done. We want it done as soon as possible.
“We do have powers and we would use those powers [to force isolation] if necessary.”
When asked what authorities would do with someone suspected to have the coronavirus but refused to co-operate, Dr Kelleher said the HSE would “make every effort to persuade them” to self- isolate.
But he indicated tougher measures could be used if necessary.
And he thinks anyone suspected
of having the disease would be “happy” to co-operate in hospital until they were cleared of the disease.
Meanwhile, those who have not travelled to China but are experiencing the symptoms associated with the virus such as fever and cough have been told to contact their GP.
