Wait for COVID-19 test kits for county continues
There is no testing for COVID-19 in County Cavan today due to the national shortage of test kits, the HSE has confirmed.
In the latest update the HSE informed The Anglo-Celt that the one test site that has been in place in the county to date - Ballyahise - currently is not performing tests and will be replaced by the drive through testing centre in Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan. This Cavan Town based testing site is ready to commence once they have received test kits. A HSE statement explained: "We are awaiting confirmation of the next expected delivery of testing kits."
There is a similar story amongst many test centres for this Community Health care Organisations (CHOs) area which, in addition to Cavan, covers counties Donegal, Letrim, Monaghan and Sligo.
"Testing capacity has been constrained since Sunday March 29th due to stock limitations of testing kits. As of today the 1st April 2020, the following is the update on testing sites across CHO 1:
- Cloghan, GAA Park, Monaghan - tests are scheduled today for HCW and close contacts;
- Clarion Road, Sligo- No Testing - Scaled back and service moved to Drive Through Test Centre in Finiskin, Sligo ready to commence testing on receipt of testing kits
- O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny - No Testing
- Lakeside Centre, Ballyshannon - No Testing
- Ballyahise, Cavan - No Testing - Scaled back and service moved to Drive Through Testing Centre in Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan which is also ready to commence testing on receipt of Kits.
- Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitirm - No Testing.
All clients are informed of which centre to attend for their test in advance.
A spokesperson for the HSE outlined that there are "significant challenges" in securing reagent for Covid testing both nationally and internationally.
"We continue to prioritise testing of healthcare workers and in-patients in acute hospitals and residential facilities," the statement continued.
"We apologise to all those waiting for test results and we wish to assure the public that we are making every endeavour to improve turnaround times within the current international constraints. We are currently exploring the procurement of reagent from international sources. In addition we continue to bring on additional laboratories, some with different reagents.
"This week the HSE Public Analyst Laboratory at Cherry Orchard and a Department of Agriculture laboratory have come on-line bringing additional capacity. Testing is performed for public health as opposed to clinical reasons, and patients waiting for results should continue to self-isolate for 14 days.
"Acknowledging the delay in testing we are beginning direct contact tracing of high risk groups in advance of test results."