THERE are no plans to ban mass gatherings of people in Northern Ireland due to the coronavirus outbreak, Northern Ireland's most senior doctor has insisted.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said they were were currently being guided by the "science of what works" and that there was "limited evidence" to suggest that banning sports matches or other big events would prevent the virus spreading.
He stressed there should be "no panic" but the people should be prepared in terms of awareness and that handwashing was key.
The medic said however he understood the problems faced by Belfast city councillors in planning ahead - and that he "wouldn't be critical" of their decision to cancel the St Patrick's Day Parade.
"We need to make decisions at points in time. There is no community transmission in Northern Ireland - which we do have in the Republic," he said.
"It's a very difficult position for councillors as they make individual risk assessments."
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A total of four new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the north, bringing the total number of people testing positive to 16. All are adults.
Health authorities confirmed that one case involved recent travel from northern Italy, while the other three individuals can be traced to a previously reported case that was also linked to travel.
Public Health Agency (PHA) chiefs are currently tracing those who were in contact with the affected cases.
During a press briefing yesterday, officials said they are expecting the numbers people testing positive to increase in coming days and weeks.
It was also confirmed that retired GPs are to be enlisted to help delay a widespread outbreak.
Dr Bride said: "It is a question of when, not if, we see community transmission in Northern Ireland."
Community transmission means a patient has not been to an affected area like China or Italy or had close contact with someone who contracted the disease there.
To date, no-one with a serious underlying disease has yet fallen victim with positive cases suffering "mild to moderate symptoms".
There have been no admissions to hospital among those with the virus in the north.
"It does not make sense to admit a clinically well individual to hospital," Dr McBride said.
Medics are still attempting to contain transmission of the virus and in the weeks ahead people with symptoms may be advised to self-isolate at home to "protect the rest of us", the chief medic added.
Dr Gerry Waldron from the PHA added: "The risk is out there and the risk is growing, unfortunately, of coming in contact with Covid-19."
Dr Conall McCaughey, a virologist involved in the testing process, said numbers conducting the test for the genetic sequence associated with the infection had been increased and would be boosted further to increase their capacity.
