The 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Ireland on 29 February 2020. This was announced by Tony Holohan the Chief Medical Officer for the Irish Department of Health. Response to the pandemic has included cancellation of St Patrick’s Day parades and all festivals. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also announced the closure of all schools, colleges, childcare and other public facilities until at least 29 March. As of 17 March, there have been 292 confirmed cases and 2 total deaths.