A secondary school in the east of Ireland is to close for two weeks after the the department of health has confirmed a man with the coronavirus has identified and made contact with the school.
Last night the department confirmed the first case of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.
The principal, staff and parents of pupils of the school have been notified.
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’.
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.”
The first man in Ireland to contract the coronavirus is currently being treated in a Dublin hospital, it has been reported.
The male travelled back to Ireland in the past 14 days from an infected area in Italy.
Chief medical officer of the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan refused to say if the case in the North is connected to the first confirmed case in the Republic of Ireland.
Dr Tony Holohan said he would not state what county the man is living in or if he had travelled with anyone else in order to protect his identity.
Dr Holohan said: "The individual in this case has obviously followed advice we've put out.
"We have been clear that we will be careful in the amount of information we give you in relation to confirmed cases because we don't believe this will necessarily be the last case, there will be further cases we expect.
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