A woman in the Republic of Ireland has died as a result of the coronavirus Covid-19.
She is understood to have been an older person with underlying health issues.
It comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the outbreak as a pandemic.
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a statement that ‘pandemic’ is not a word to use lightly or carelessly.
“It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death. Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this coronavirus.
“It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do.”
He added: “We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled at the same time. WHO has been in full response mode since we were notified of the first cases.
“We have called every day for countries to take urgent and aggressive action. We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear.”
We are taking necessary precautions to protect our patients and staff from #COVID19. We are asking the public not to visit patients in our hospitals and community facilities unless absolutely essential.
Where possible, please attend your appointment on your own. pic.twitter.com/Sc3cNYwL74— Western Trust (@WesternHSCTrust) March 11, 2020