Five new cases of coronavirus were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Friday.

All of the cases are linked to contact with patients who had already been diagnosed or to travel. This brings the total number of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases to 18. One case, a male, in the east of Ireland, is associated with travel from northern Italy; one case, a female, in the west of Ireland, is associated with close contact with a confirmed case. Another case, a female, in the south of Ireland, a healthcare worker is associated with close contact with a confirmed case; one case, a male, in the south of the country, is associated with travel; one case, a female, in the south of the country, is associated with travel from northern Italy. The HSE said that they are working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. “We ask that no organisation, school or health service provider acts unilaterally. We need to respond to the threat of COVID-19 in unison, following the advice of Public Health," Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, said. “Healthcare workers are at the frontline of this virus outbreak. The Department of Health and the HSE are equally dedicated to protecting and supporting this vital group of people," Liam Woods, HSE Director of Acute Operations, added. The HSE advise anyone who knows they've been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the last two weeks and who has symptoms - which include cough, shortness of breath, fever - to:

• isolate themselves from the others, going into a separate, well-ventilated room with a phone.
• phone their GP or emergency department. If this is not possible, people are advised to phone 112 or 999.
• in a medical emergency, if you have severe symptoms, phone 112 or 999.

The general public is advised to follow advice from the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to protect their health. You can find the full list of HSE guidelines and advice on coronavirus right here.