A Maltese national who has contracted the deadly coronavirus was in Ireland only four days ago before leaving through Dublin Airport.
The 33-year-old flew from Dublin Airport to Malta on Tuesday March 10 and instantly went into self-quarantine upon arrival after it was detected that he had been infected by the killer COVID-19 bug - Dublin Live reports.
On Friday, a further 20 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.
This brings the total number of cases on the island of Ireland to 119 - 90 in the Republic of Ireland and 29 in Northern Ireland.
Malta's Public Health Superintendent, Professor Charmaine Gauci confirmed the news and said that contact-tracing has now begun to find anyone who has been in close proximity with the individual recently according to MaltaToday.
Professor Gauci pointed out the importance of the correct use of self-quarantine to prevent such imported cases.
He said: “It is very important to catch these cases as early as possible, for contact tracing, and to delay as much as possible any form of local contagion.”
He added: "We are following the situation, case by case, cases abroad and in Malta, to take the best measures possible.
“We have carried out strong surveillance. We are actively looking for cases, being imported from abroad. With flights now curtailed, the cases from abroad will probably start decreasing.
“We have carried out mandatory quarantine for everyone who came in from abroad.
"There are certain places where people have travelled to more frequently, such as Brussels before the closure of the European Commission.
"With measures to reduced mass gatherings, church masses, and school closures, we are a step ahead of what we fear might happen.”
