First Minister, Arlene Foster, has been lauded by people on both sides of the political divide for the way in which she dealt with a social media troll who said she hoped the DUP leader would contract the deadly Coronavirus.

The Coronavirus is officially referred to as COVID-19 and the first person to test positive for the illness in Northern Ireland did so on Thursday evening.

A Twitter account using the handle @EmmaJaneMurphy4 responded to the news the illness had reached Northern Ireland by saying: “Hope it gets to Arlene Foster.”

Mrs. Foster replied: “Thank you Emma Jane. Very kind.”

placeholder image — First Minister Arlene Foster.

The @EmmaJaneMurphy4 Twitter account has been deleted and no longer exists.

“I may not see eye to eye [with Arlene Foster], but that is totally absurd, a disgrace,” said one man.

One woman was full of praise for First Minister Foster and urged people to show kindness on social media.

“Brilliant response from Arlene!,” said the woman.

“Honestly can people not just be nice...or quiet!.”

Including the case in Northern Ireland there are currently 19 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the UK.

The first British person to die from the illness was confirmed on Friday afternoon - the man was a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship anchored off the coast of Japan.

To stay up-to-date with all of the latest advice and developments concerning COVID-19 visit www.publichealth.hscni.net and www.who.int