St Patrick’s Day events can go ahead despite Covid-19 fears, health chief says

Ireland's Chief Medical Officer has said that fear and anxiety in relation to the coronavirus is understandable - and said that it is important that the public stay informed.

The chief medical officer has said that the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin on March 17 does not need to be cancelled, despite concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

There are now five Covid-19 cases on the island or Ireland – three in Northern Ireland and two in the Republic.