Two further patients test positive for Coronavirus in Northern Ireland

Q Radio news

Two further positive Covid-19 cases have been detected in Northern Ireland.

One adult recently travelled from northern Italy.

The other had recent contact with a person elsewhere in the UK who has subsequently tested positive, Stormont health officials said.

The results are being sent to England for verification.

A Department of Health statement said: Testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in two further presumptive positive results for coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the total to three since testing began.

"In line with established protocols, these Northern Ireland test outcomes have been sent to Public Health England laboratories for verification.

"The two cases are not connected. One individual recently travelled from Northern Italy. The other had recent contact with a person elsewhere in the UK who has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.

"Both patients are adults and are receiving appropriate care. Public Health Agency personnel are working rapidly to identify contacts they may have had, with the aim of preventing further spread."

The Queen's University Belfast says it has been informed by the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland of a presumptive positive case of Covid-19 within the university community.

Health Minister @RobinSwannMoH confirms two additional presumptive positive tests for Coronavirus in Northern Ireland this afternoon. It brings the total here to three as the UK total surges by more than 30 in a single day. pic.twitter.com/CzatEkK0q1

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 4, 2020

"We are now working with the Public Health Agency to trace anyone who has been in contact with the infected individual to ensure they are supported to receive medical attention if required and to take all appropriate steps to contain any further spread of the virus and protect the welfare of all within the wider University community," the university said in a statement.

"The university is open and operating as normal".

It urged people to refer to its FAQs page on its website and the latest official advice and guidance from the Public Health Agency and other statutory bodies.

The chief medical officer in the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland has said he does not believe the people who tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland had travelled through the Republic.

Two new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Dublin on Wednesday, Tony Holohan said: "The contact tracing process has only begun. We have not been alerted to any cross-border aspect in terms of that contact tracing."

"It is still quite early in the contact tracing process so it is still possible, but there are no indications as of yet."

NI’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride says one patient was diagnosed with #coronavirus after returning here from northern Italy and the other adult contracted #Covid_19 elsewhere in the UK pic.twitter.com/VFY20YO1gV

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 4, 2020