SIXTY-FIVE people have been tested for the deadly coronavirus in Ireland, though all tests so far have come back negative.
Over 1,000 people have died around the world from the illness - the vast majority of which have been in mainland China - and over 40,000 cases have been confirmed since the outbreak started in December.
Hibergene, a Dublin-based company who manufacture and develop tests and for infectious diseases, have come up with a 10 minute test that checks for coronavirus and brings back results within the hour.
CEO of Hibergene, Simona Esposito, is hoping the check could be on the market within months.
"We are currently designing the test in our facilities in Dublin where we develop and manufacture all of our stuff," said Ms Esposito.
"The next step will be a prototype which we will send for product testing to China.
"We expect to have that ready in the next three to four weeks."
While fears of an outbreak in Ireland are relatively low, the Department of Health have continually reiterated that it is prepared for any such circumstance.
Earlier in the week, staff working at Indeed's headquarters in Dublin were told to work from home until February 17, due to fears that a staff member from Singapore had been exposed to the coronavirus, though it's thought that this request was purely precautionary.
Indeed employs around 1,000 people in Dublin.
In a statement they said; "the health and safety of our employees is Indeed's chief concern."
"Today we learned that these family members have tested negative for the virus."
"The welfare of our employee and their family has been our highest priority during this period."
"Out of an abundance of caution for their health and safety, we asked employees in Singapore to work from home while we awaited the test results. As an extra precaution, we also asked employees in Dublin and Sydney to work from home and undertook deep cleaning of the three offices."
