The Covid-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation on Wednesday.
The coronavirus outbreak has infected 43 people in the Republic of Ireland and caused the death of one elderly woman with an underlying health condition.
Other countries across Europe are reporting large numbers of confirmed cases with Italy reporting over 10,000 cases along with over 600 deaths.
According to official figures, Italy had just 20 cases of coronavirus on 21 February but things have escalated in the space of three weeks and now the entire country is on lockdown with sporting events suspended, schools and universities closed and social gatherings forbidden.
At least eight countries have reported 1,000 or more cases of Covid-19 among their residents, including the U.S., France and Germany.
Spain now has 2,182 cases and 49 deaths while schools in Madrid closed for an initial period of 14 days as the country tries to get a grip on the soaring rate of infections.
As a result of the increase in infections in Spain, Minster for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has advised Irish people against non-essential travel to certain areas of the country.
"A significant number of new #COVID19 cases confirmed in Spain, on mainland & Balearic & Canary Islands," Coveney wrote on social media. "If u are in Spain, monitor developments closely & follow advice from Local Authorities [sic].
"This evening we are upgrading our overall security status in respect of Spain to “exercise a high degree of caution” & advising against non-essential travel to the following areas: Madrid, Vitoria & Labastida in the Basque Country and La Rioja."
https://twitter.com/simoncoveney/status/1237812687750533123
https://twitter.com/simoncoveney/status/1237813071923556352
The Covid-19 virus is a member of the coronavirus family that broke the species barrier and jumped from animals to humans late last year.
Since it was first discovered in Wuhan in the Hubei province in China, it has infected more than 100,000 people worldwide and more than 4,500 deaths.
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