Aer Lingus cabin crew who came into contact with NI Coronavirus patient placed in self-isolation

In a statement the airline said: “Aer Lingus can confirm that the patient in Northern Ireland who has been diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus travelled with the airline from northern Italy to Dublin.

“Aer Lingus is co-operating fully with the HSE in relation to the Covid-19 developments and is liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs, other government departments and the relevant authorities as required.”

The cabin crew are in self-isolation as a precautionary measure and the airline said it would do everything it its power to protect their employees’ identity.

Aer Lingus has not confirmed the flight number or date the aircraft in question flew from northern Italy to Dublin.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has confirmed that a man on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship is the first British person to die from COVID-19.

“We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Japan and are in contact with local authorities,” said a spokesperson for the Foreign Office.

There have been 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom but no deaths.