Ireland confirms first coronavirus case

Dublin, Feb 29 (AFP) Ireland on Saturday confirmed its first case of coronavirus after a man who h returned from rrn Italy tested positive, government said.

Health officials said man, from east of Ireland, was "receiving appropriate medical care" after y followed "established protocols" in testing and diagsing him with COVID-19.

" case is associated with travel from an affected area in rrn Italy, rar than contact with ar confirmed case," Department of Health said in a statement.

authorities were working rapidly to identify any contacts patient may have h, "to provide m with information and vice to prevent furr spre," it ded.

Health Minister Simon Harris said development was "t unexpected".

"We have been preparing for this since January," he ded.

COVID-19 epidemic continues to spre around world, with cases w recorded in several dozen countries.

More than 2,900 people have been killed and nearly 86,000 infected.

Qatar and Ecuor both confirmed ir first cases on Saturday and US anunced first death.

Ireland's Six Nations match with Italy in Dublin on March 7 was postponed this week due to epidemic.

Although Saturday saw its first confirmed case, neighbouring rrn Ireland -- part of Britain -- h alrey recorded a positive test in recent days while mainland UK has seen 23 cases so far.

In rrn Irish case, woman involved h travelled through Dublin Airport on her way home to rrn Ireland from rrn Italy.