Coronavirus: First death recorded in Republic of Ireland

The first death linked to coronavirus has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland.

The elderly woman died in a Dublin hospital, where she was being treated for Covid-19, on Wednesday.

It is understood that the patient had an underlying respiratory condition and she had been admitted to hospital several days ago.

It comes as two new cases of the disease were confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total to 18.

Both cases are adults and their transmissions can be traced to a previously reported case who had travelled from northern Italy.

Nine new cases have also been identified in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the total to 43.

The nine new cases include eight males and one female.

At a press conference on Wednesday evening, Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said none of the cases was community related.

"For each of the nine today, we have been able to identify the source of the infection," he said.

Earlier, he urged the media to respect the privacy of the family of the woman who died.

"We continue our efforts to interrupt the transmission of this virus. It will take all of us, collectively, to succeed. Please continue to follow public health advice," he said.

There have been 246 tests for coronavirus in Northern Ireland, 228 have been negative.



Staff at the Public Health Agency are undertaking contact tracing for both of the new cases.

Northern Ireland's Health Minister Robin Swann said the fact coronavirus had been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation did not change the government's approach.

"That doesn't change how we approach things here in Northern Ireland at this moment in time," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

"The UK still remains at a moderate level, we remain in a containment phase."

He added that plans are in place as to how the government moved to the next phase in the future.

To God Almighty... Please help us and forgive us of our wrong doings,for we don't knows what we are doing, please grant us your Children peace in our heart, joy in our soul and a change spirit, so things don't fall apart. Please grant to us your Children the wisdom and understanding to discover a cure for this unseen illness knows as Covid-19, because is a treat to mankind and everything we stand for. As we speak some are dying of it and other of various diseases which we are yet to discover a cure for. Please don't turn your face against us. We need you now more than ever... Thank you God Almighty for you'll do it again... Amen...

Wow, and I will be there by next month.