Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
844. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if private providers of Covid-19 tests are required to report their results to the Chief Medical Officer; the way these tests are accounted for in daily case figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8547/21]
View answerIn Ireland, the national testing strategy for COVID-19 involves testing people who meet the case definition (people with symptoms), their identified close contacts, and established serial testing programmes. It is directed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and coordinated by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The national testing strategy has been implemented to ensure that:
- test results are reported to the relevant stakeholders (for monitoring and surveillance purposes as COVID-19 is a notifiable disease);
- contact tracing activities are initiated (where appropriate);
- an incorrect test result does not lead to false reassurance resulting in individuals failing to seek the necessary medical help. During this time, the individual may also unknowingly spread the virus;
Under the Infectious Disease Regulations (S.I. No. 53/2020 - Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 which amended the Infectious Diseases Regulations 1981 (S.I. No. 390 of 1981), all medical practitioners, including clinical directors of diagnostic laboratories, are required to notify the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) / Director of Public Health of certain diseases, including COVID-19.
The MOH also reports such cases onwards to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). This is to ensure that test results are reported to relevant stakeholders for monitoring and surveillance purposes and to investigate cases, thus preventing spread of infection and further cases. This requirement also applies to all private testing services who are, therefore, legally obliged to report positive Covid-19 case to the relevant authorities.
As Minister for Health, I do not have statutory responsibility relating to the provision of privately operated COVID-19 testing facilities. However, the HSE has published guidance for private testing laboratories undertaking SARS-CoV-2 testing to ensure that all tests are reported and dealt with in an appropriate manner, and in line with our infectious disease legislation.
