SIX more cases of coronavirus were confirmed across Ireland last night bringing the total number infected on the island to nine.
Two of the cases were detected in the north - including a postgraduate student at Queen's University in Belfast - who had recently travelled from northern Italy.
The second person diagnosed had been in contact with someone in another region of the UK who later tested positive for the virus.
It came as four more cases were confirmed last night in the west of Ireland.
The patients, two male and two female, are all associated with travel from the same affected area in northern Italy.
The first case in Ireland was confirmed last week in Belfast.
Earlier Stormont health minister Robin Swann said both patients diagnosed in the north were adults and were receiving appropriate care.
He said steps were also being taken to trace those who may have been in contact with the student since he returned on a direct flight from Italy to Belfast last week.
The minister said Public Health Agency (PHA) personnel was "working rapidly" to establish contacts they may have had to prevent further spread.
Queen's University said they were working with the PHA to trace anyone who had been in contact with the infected student and would also take "all appropriate steps to contain any further spread of the virus and protect the welfare of all within the wider university community".
All but one of the cases involve patients who travelled to northern Italy where the virus has spread dramatically. The fatalities last night stood at 107. All schools and colleges across the country have been closed until March 15 in a desperate bid to stop the spread.
It came as a top virologist at the only testing laboratory for the disease at the RVH in Belfast said they are ‘surge planning’ to prepare for 100s of suspected cases each day.
To date 150 people have been tested across the north – including 50 at a drive-through facility in Antrim Area Hospital which has been operating for three weeks.
Across the UK cases continue to grow. Yesterday saw its biggest day-on-day increase in coronavirus cases, with 87 people now positively diagnosed.
Meanwhile the first and deputy first ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill yesterday announced they are to cut back their trip to US for St Patrick’s Day.
They are no longer going to New York and instead will just visit Washington DC.
