Mayo hospital 'prepared in event of suspected coronavirus case'

Preparations in place at Mayo University Hospital in the event of suspected coronavirus case.

A meeting of the HSE West Regional Health Forum heard all level three and four public hospitals in the wider Saolta hospital group region have preparations in place should such a case arise.

Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta Hospital Group, explained this includes a dedicated room for isolation and required testing.

He was asked if the HSE would be able to facilitate an outbreak in a public hospital system given the trolley crisis.

Mr. Canavan said the situation is being monitored closely.

He stressed that should the public have concerns, the HSE website has good advice on coronavirus, with links to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the Department of Foreign Affairs with those with concerns over travel abroad.

Mr. Canavan said while there is no confirmed coronovirus case in Ireland to date, the situation is evolving daily and is continuously monitored.