Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: Northern Ireland health chiefs warn 'it's a matter of time' before community transmission

Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride (left) alongside Dr Gerry Waldron, Assistant Director of Public Health (Health Protection) at the PHA, during a a Covid-19 briefing in Belfast. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride (left) alongside Dr Gerry Waldron, Assistant Director of Public Health (Health Protection) at the PHA, during a a Covid-19 briefing in Belfast. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride (left) alongside Dr Gerry Waldron, Assistant Director of Public Health (Health Protection) at the PHA, during a a Covid-19 briefing in Belfast. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

FOUR more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland as health chiefs warn it will be "when and not if" the virus is transmitted in the community.

To date, all 16 of the north's confirmed Covid-19 cases have been linked to travel in northern Italy or through being in contact with someone who has come back from the region.

Irish League football team Linfield FC announced that one of its players was among those who had tested positive.

The club said the player had been in contact with another footballer from Portadown-based club Hanover who had the virus. Windsor Park is to be closed for the next two days to facilitate a deep clean.

Ten more cases were also announced in the Republic last night bringing the total across the island to 50.

At a briefing yesterday, the north's most senior medic, Dr Michael McBride urged the public not to panic but said that in the weeks ahead, those with symptoms may be advised to self-isolate at home to "protect the rest of us".

It has also emerged that some retired GPs are being asked to return to north's health service to "help" delay the illness.

There has been a big increase in GPs triaging suspected coronavirus patients over the telephone while a total of 237 swab tests have carried out and analysed at main laboratory testing unit in Belfast, of which 221 have been negative.

Dr McBride also confirmed there are no plans to ban mass gatherings despite some St Patrick's Day parades being called off, as there was "limited evidence" to suggest that banning big events would prevent the virus spreading.

In other developments aimed at halting the spread of the disease:

* Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill cancell their St Patrick's trip to the US

* Aer Lingus and Ryanair suspend Italian flights

* Further St Patrick's Day parades called off

* The Special Olympics Ireland Winter Games, due to take place later this month across the north, are postponed

* A Halifax call centre in Belfast closes for deep clean after a staff member contracted the virus

* Omniplex introduce 'seat separation' across its cinemas where every other seat will be left empty