Guests at a hotel in Tenerife that has been placed on lockdown after four people tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus are being allowed to leave their rooms.
The H10 Costa Adeje Palace placed its guests on lockdown yesterday morning after an Italian doctor was diagnosed with the virus.
His wife and two other people that were travelling with them have since tested positive.
The Government has been in contact with a number of Irish people in the area. It is believed there are some Irish guests at the hotel.
Guests in H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife are being allowed down to the canteen for a coffee (and a much needed change of scenery)
I’m told requests for wine were denied #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/PyUpy8S3Ui
— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) February 26, 2020
The hotel is set to remain shut off for at least "the next few days" in a bid to prevent further infections and guests have been urged to stay calm.
In a statement, H10 Hotels said: “To ensure the safety of customers and employees, the H10 Costa Adeje Palace will be temporarily closed for the next few days.
“All clients with a reservation within this period will be contacted and relocated to another H10 Hotel in Tenerife.”
Guests have now been told they can walk the grounds of the hotel provided they are wearing masks.
Guests of H10 Costa Adeje Palace have been given a second note under the door to say they need to stay in their room for 24 hours.
Medics in hazmat suits visited rooms to take guests temperatures using a thermal temperature gun.
Another food package was also delivered pic.twitter.com/p97GvoZuy4
— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) February 25, 2020
On Newstalk Breakfast, Tenerife based journalist Cliodna O'Flynn said more people in the area are now wearing medical masks.
“I was at the supermarket yesterday, there were a few more people – maybe 2% instead of 0.1% of people – wearing masks and there has been a run on masks,” she said.
“That being said, we had one of the worst sandstorms at the weekend so people were wearing masks to avoid having breathing difficulties.”
Hotel workers queue to get tested for COVID-19 coronavirus at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in the Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain, 25-02-2020. Image: AP PhotoShe said the Italian doctor travelled to the island on February 17th and tested positive for the virus on Monday.
Tenerife is an extremely popular destination for Irish tourists – with thousands believed to be on the island at the moment.
Guests were informed of the situation yesterday morning after staff passed a note under the doors of their rooms.
It read: “Dear guests, we regret to inform you that for healthy reasons, the hotel has been closed down. Until the sanitary authorities warn, you must remain in your rooms.
This was slipped though the door this morning.
No communication since. pic.twitter.com/CwNehfvqz0
— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) February 25, 2020
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is “closely monitoring the situation.”
“A number of Irish nationals staying in the area have been in contact directly with us. We are providing consular advice,” it said.
The department has opened a dedicated phone line for callers concerned about the virus.
Anyone who has specific concerns regarding Irish citizens currently in any affected areas can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 01 613 1733.
A police officer stands by a barrier in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel which is under quarantine following a COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, 25-02-2020. Image: AP PhotoThe number of confirmed cases in Italy has now risen to 322 with 11 deaths. The majority of the cases are in the north of the country.
More than 80,000 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been identified, mostly in China where it originated, with more than 2,600 deaths recorded.
The HSE is urging anyone who has been to one of seven coronavirus-affected areas in the past two weeks to contact it on 1850 24 1850.
The areas are:
- China
- Hong Kong
- Iran
- Japan
- Singapore
- South Korea
- The Italian provinces of Lombardy, Piemonte, Veneto and Emilia – Romagna
You should also call the number if you have been in contact with anyone who has the virus or have been in a hospital or healthcare centre where people are being treated for it.
If you have been in one of the coronavirus-affected areas and feel unwell you should:
- phone your GP, emergency department (ED) or student healthcare centre immediately
- stay indoors
- avoid contact with other people
The HSE said you should follow this advice even if your symptoms are mild.
