Taoiseach announces school, colleges and public offices closure

Covid-19: Widespread closures not inevitable, says professor, but cannot be ruled out

- Reporting by Vivienne Clarke

Professor James McInerney, the Irish-born international expert on molecular evolution, has said that the widespread closure of schools and businesses is not inevitable, but cannot be ruled out.

The numbers of people who contract the Covid-19 virus are likely to be higher, he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, but it is not possible to determine the number of people who had the virus and recovered from it, but did not know they had it.

Such people could lead to ‘silent transmission’, which is a feature of this outbreak, he said.

While it was reassuring that many experience mild symptoms, this was a problem as people were unknowingly spreading the virus, he explained.

Prof. McInerney said it had been inevitable that the virus would be classified as a ‘pandemic’ because of its global reach.

However, its classification as a pandemic would not change the advice being given to the public, but it would emphasise how important it is that the public heed instructions.

Meanwhile, the Mater Hospital in Dublin's limiting its outpatient appointments and elective surgeries to essential services only.

The hospital says patients whose appointments are being deferred will be contacted by phone.

Earlier: Call for reduction of capacity on public transport to battle Covid-19

There are calls for the capacity of buses and trains to be cut in half because of coronavirus.

It comes after the Health Protection Surveillance Centre yesterday confirmed nine new cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.

Dermot O'Leary, from the National Bus and Rail Union, said reducing capacity on public transport would help to stop the virus spreading.

He said: "The numbers that are travelling, they are reducing on a daily basis, we feel that they are probably transferring into cars and increasing congestion.

"It will reduce again over the next week or two, no doubt it will on the back of this crisis, and what we are suggesting and asking the companies is to say yes to the same amount of buses, yes to the same amount of trains, but the capacity to be significantly reduced to allow for social distancing as people commute."

Useful information
• The HSE have developed an information pack on how to protect yourself and others from coronavirus. Read it here
• Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus who has been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days should isolate themselves from other people - this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone; phone their GP, or emergency department - if this is not possible, phone 112 or 999 and in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999

It is also reported that insurers may not cover claims made for weddings because of the coronavirus.

The reports suggest that new policies for couples tying the knot are set to exclude cover for disruption due to the outbreak over fears of a raft of claims, but those with existing wedding insurance policies are expected to still be covered.

Trinity College Dublin has confirmed its second case of coronavirus on the campus.

The college says a student from the health sciences faculty has tested positive and is receiving the appropriate care.

It comes after the first death in Ireland from the virus - the elderly woman who was being treated in Naas General Hospital had underlying health issues.

43 cases of Covid-19 have now been confirmed in the Republic, after nine more were confirmed last night.

The nine new cases in the country include:

• – Four males from the south of the country associated with travel;
• – One female from the south of the country who came into contact with a confirmed case;
• – One male from the south who came in contact with a confirmed case;
• – Two males from the east of the country associated with travel;
• – One male from the east of the country who came into contact with a confirmed case.