Emergency team to meet next week as Coronavirus confirmed in UK

The Department of Health has said that the WHO's designation of the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) as a 'public health emergency of international concern' emphasises the importance of the “preparedness and plans” that are in place in Ireland.
Worldwide there have been moves to prevent the spread of the new virus which has already been diagnosed in over 10,000 cases, mostly in China, causing 213 deaths. There have been two confirmed cases in the UK. 
Other countries that have confirmed cases include Japan, Australia, South Korea, Germany,  Russia, France, Canada, Vietnam, Italy, India, and Finland and the United States. In the US two major airlines - Delta and American Airlines - today suspended flights to China. 
“Ireland will continue to monitor the situation and to participate in the international assessment of response to this novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) through the European Centre for disease control and the WHO,” said a Depatrment of Health spokesperson.
“Ireland is well positioned to detect and respond to a case of the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that might arise here. As yet there have been no confirmed cases in Ireland.”
The National Public Health Emergency Team are due to meet again on Tuesday, February 4.