Kingspan Breffni to be used as Covid-19 test site

Co Cavan GAA Board are understood to be considering a request from the HSE to utilise Kingspan Breffni as a Covid-19 patient testing site.

The Anglo-Celt understands a request was made of the County Board this week, as the Government follows through on a commitment to ramp up the level of testing nationwide in the coming days and weeks.

If sanctioned, the new testing facility could be up-and-running as early as the middle of next week.

The new set-up is expected to include two mobile testing units which will be established in the rear car park of the GAA ground, with staff attending the centre to be provided with their own separate washing facilities in the backrooms.

At present the HSE and Department of Health have established two drive-thru test sites - at the former dispensary in Ballyhaise and Smithboro in Co Monaghan - but it's understood that other sites are being considered in a further bid to speed up testing.

The Ballyhaise system currently sees patients waiting for swabs wait in their cars in the local church carpark before being called to attend the test site.

Last week the HSE informed The Anglo-Celt: “It is planned that there will be an expansion in the number of testing locations in the coming days.”

GPs are also continuing to make electronic referrals for COVID-19 testing for patients using the Healthlink system.

The government, as per a raft of new measures introduced, which includes a shutdown of all non-essential services, are set to prioritise tests for healthcare workers and other frontline staff.

National websites meanwhile are being updated daily with the latest information about the spread COVID-19.

Both Cavan and Monaghan are still among the least affected counties in Ireland, with five or less confirmed cases in each.