The HSE ‘can’t dispute’ projections that 1.9 million people in Ireland may fall ill with coronavirus

Quite a worrying update from the HSE.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that it can't dispute projections that 1.9 million people in the Republic of Ireland may fall ill with coronavirus. Health officials told RTÉ that the trends in Italy point towards large numbers of cases, but that the modelling scenario is not yet completed. As it stands, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ireland is 19, after a new case was confirmed on Saturday night.

The most recent case - a male in the east of Ireland - is believed to have traveled from northern Italy or been in contact with someone who had.

There's also seven confirmed cases in Northern Ireland. An update on confirmed cases in Ireland will be given by the National Public Health Emergency Team later on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs has advised Irish citizens not to travel to the Italian region of Lombardy, and to the other provinces that have been placed in isolation. A number of flights have been cancelled due to the spread of the virus. 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 here.