Schools in Waterford and Dublin seek advice over coronavirus after students return from Italy
The number of people to die as a result of the coronavirus in Italy has risen to 10.
Meanwhile, a school in Dublin has joined three schools in Waterford in saying that they had students abroad on school ski-trips over the midterm.
They are seeking advice after students returned from school ski trips to Northern Italy.
Mount Anville secondary school in Goatstown, Dublin wrote to parents to advise any students with a compromised immune system to be kept at home.
One of the Waterford schools, St Paul's CBS, has since been advised that their students are likely to be "low risk" given they were in Andolo, some 240km away from the epicentre of the outbreak.
Also, the principal of a secondary school on the southside of Cork city, which had students visiting northern Italy from February 12 to 17, has told concerned parents that the HSE’s advice is contact their GP if their daughters feel unwell, or present with symptoms including a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or a fever.
Three schools in Northern Ireland who also had students abroad on ski trips in northern Italy have sent some students home to self-isolate.
The Department of Foreign affairs has opened a dedicated phone line for anyone who has specific concerns regarding Irish citizens currently in any affected areas. The number is 01 613 1733.
Earlier: Students from Waterford schools being monitored; Irish tourists in Tenerife in contact over coronavirus fears
Up to 81 teenage students from three Waterford schools have been indentified as “high risk” for the Coronavirus having returned from affected areas in Italy, it has been confirmed.
The three groups of students, from three different schools, have returned to Ireland in recent days having spent time in the Trentino, Andalo, and Folgaria regions, which are popular skiing destinations.
One group arrived back on the 21st, another on the 22nd and the other the following day, sources have confirmed to the Irish Examiner.
The Irish Examiner understands that the group from one of the well-known schools returned to Ireland within the past 24 hours and are now under the watch of the Health Service Executive (HSE).
There are no confirmed cases of the virus among the group as of yet, it has been confirmed.
Those affected are likely to be placed in some form of isolation, sources have suggested, but it is not yet clear if they are to be quarantined or merely sent home under restrictions.
Parents of the students in question are currently being contacted by the school and the HSE as to begin the process of screening to rule out the presence of the virus.
Senior sources have said that a “media blackout” is being advised and the HSE, when contacted, offered no comment to our queries.
A meeting of National Public Health Emergency Team is taking place this afternoon where new protocols about preventing the spread of Covid-19 are to be agreed and then announced.
The news comes as it emerged as another school in Dublin has issued advice to parents after a group of students and teachers returned from a ski trip in northern Italy over the midterm.
They have suggested that students with a compromised immune system be kept at home and hand santisers have been placed throughout the school.
Pupils from three schools in Northern Ireland were also earlier sent home as a precaution against coronavirus after returning from ski trips to Italy.
The pupils from schools in counties Antrim, Derry and Down, were all on separate trips to Italy recently.
Around 50 pupils and staff from Cambridge House Grammar School in Ballymena, Co Antrim, were in the Lombardy region in the north of Italy.
They did not visit the nine towns affected by the virus and travelled home through Milan airport.
Principal Elma Lutton said on guidance from the education authority, based on advice from the Public Health Authority, they have asked students to spend 14 days in self isolation.
She said it is a precautionary measure and no students are displaying any symptoms.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said a number of Irish citizens staying near the hotel in Tenerife at the centre of a Covid-19 outbreak have been in contact.
Hundreds of people have been confined to their rooms at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, a popular destination for Irish holidaymakers.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said they are giving consular assistance to a number of Irish citizens staying in the area.
It said anyone that has specific concerns regarding Irish people in the area can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.
This morning, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said that the coronavirus and ongoing Brexit negotiations add further urgency to forming a government in Ireland.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s National Health Emergency team is expected to announce new precautionary measures this afternoon as international concern grows about the global surge in coronavirus cases.
Anyone who has specific concerns regarding Irish citizens currently in the affected area can contact the Department on 01 4082527.
