Coronavirus is all about close contact.
As of Thursday afternoon, there have been six cases of COVID-19/coronavirus confirmed in the Republic of Ireland, as well as three cases in Northern Ireland.
Two cases in the east are believed to be unrelated, while the other four cases in the west are believed to be within one family. All cases involve travel to the affected region of northern Italy.
Two schools in the Republic have been closed for the next two weeks as a precaution.
The HSE today published a video that explains how the virus is spread, and how people can end up at risk.
Primarily, coronavirus is spread to people who end up in "close contact" with people who have a confirmed case of the illness.
In case you're wondering what close contact might mean, the HSE defines it as more than 15 minutes spent within two-metres of somebody who has coronavirus, or living in the same house as somebody who has the virus.
If you've been around somebody somebody who has been in close contact with a confirmed case, that doesn't count as close contact on your end.
People who have been in close contact with somebody who has coronavirus are advised to visit the
HSE website for instructions on what steps to take next, rather than physically present to their GP or at A&E.
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