Prince William jokes that he and Kate Middleton are "spreading" coronavirus

Publish Date: Thursday, 5 March 2020, 10:26AM

Prince William and Kate Middleton are currently on a three-day tour of Ireland ... and they don't seem concerned about the spread of coronavirus.

Following reports students from Prince George and Princess Charlotte's school are currently in quarantine awaiting test results for the deadly bug after their return from a school trip to northern Italy, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge addressed the global epidemic over a pint of Guinness.

While talking to a National Ambulance Service paramedic at a reception at Dublin's Guinness Storehouse, William asked if the coronavirus had been "hyped up" by the media.

"I bet everyone's like, 'I've got Coronavirus, I'm dying', and you're like, 'No, you've just got a cough,'" the 37-year-old royal could be heard saying.

He then asked: "Does it seem quite dramatic about coronavirus at the moment? Is it being a little bit hyped up do you think in the media?"

The dad-of-three then joked about shaking hands with wellwishers, saying: "By the way, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spreading coronavirus, sorry.

"We're keeping an eye on that, so do tell us if we need to stop."

The royal couple shook hands with dozens of people on the first day of their tour and are expected to continue to do so, based on advice they are being given.

A royal source said last night the couple was following guidance from Public Health England and the Department of Health and that meant "business as usual" for now.

View this post on Instagram

🍻 Sláinte, Baile Átha Cliath! At Guinness Storehouse’s Gravity Bar, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Irish people from across the creative arts, sport, business and charity sector. Speaking this evening, The Duke said: • "Many of you this evening who demonstrate the breadth of our connections across the arts, sports, uniformed services, education and research, and charity sectors. • We value it as we do your friendship and are committed to strengthening it further". • #RoyalVisitIreland

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Mar 3, 2020 at 2:06pm PST

"This is a discussion we have been having and everything we are doing should continue as usual," said the source.

The outbreak has sickened more than 94,000 people worldwide, according to the New York Times. As of Wednesday, at least 3,210 have died, with the majority of the deaths in China, where the virus first spread.

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