The first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Northern Ireland

The first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.

The news was confirmed on Thursday evening in a briefing by Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency. Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said [via the Belfast Telegraph] that the person had tested positive for the virus. The first test was a "presumptive positive test", a second test is being done in England for additional confirmation. The patient is thought to be an adult, who traveled from northern Italy to the Republic of Ireland, before going to Northern Ireland.

Coronavirus update: in Northern Ireland, one test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) is presumptive positive. pic.twitter.com/LBkv7GG4PV

— Public Health Agency (@publichealthni) February 27, 2020

“We have been planning for the first positive case in Northern Ireland and have made clear that it was a question of when not if," he said. “We have robust infection control measures in place which enable us to respond immediately. Our health service is used to managing infections and would assure the public that we are prepared." He added that members of the public who have visited the affected regions and who may have symptoms are advised to self-isolate at home, and to get in contact with their GP. Advice will then be issued as per the next steps. This would include if testing is required. You can find the HSE's guidelines about coronavirus here.