33 people are confirmed to have the virus on the island of Ireland.
Health Minister Simon Harris has warned of a "moderate to high" risk the spread of coronavirus in Ireland might follow the pattern of other European countries -including Italy and France.
The Health Minister said today that containment of the situation requires not only a whole government approach, but a whole society approach.
There are now 21 patients in the Republic of Ireland and 12 patients in Northern Ireland.
While over 1,000 people have been tested for the virus in the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland he said the government has pumped €21million in to the Health Service to open more beds for the virus.
He also addressed the shortage of ICU in Ireland, and abroad:
"Most people who get this will not require ICU but it is true that we have a shortage in Ireland and indeed there is a global shortage.
"People need to know if we got to a point, and there's a moderate to high risk of this according to the European experts, where this took hold in a serious way that would require prioritisation of services.
"It would require for a time, us focusing on the virus above and beyond other procedures in our hospital.
"We're looking now as we speak at how we can maximise the number of ICU beds, we will not be found wanting when it comes to the care needed, we're looking at how can we maximise the capacity in terms of beds and staff."
The Minister could not say whether or not St Patrick's Day celebrations would be cancelled in light of the virus.
He explained: "Our public health experts are considering the case of Patrick's Day as we speak, and I am expecting a suggestion in the next 24 to 48 hours."
