Access to timely and accurate COVID-19 testing is an essential component to support clinical management of cases, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and disease surveillance. Currently, PCR testing is the gold standard for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the HSE has developed and maintained a robust and agile testing programme, providing capacity for more than 175,000 PCR tests per week.
While there is significant capacity for COVID-19 PCR testing provided by the HSE as part of the public response to the pandemic, rapid antigen testing does have a role to play as another tool in Ireland’s response to COVID-19 and I have been clear in my support for their wider use. My Department, NPHET and the HSE are continually monitoring their potential utility, with pilot schemes and deployment underway in a number of sectors where appropriate. As case numbers increase in younger age groups, the situation in our schools continues to be monitored closely, and in consultation with the Department of Education, we are reviewing all available options for the further protection of children in our schools, including the possible use of antigen testing in certain situations.
Rapid antigen tests are an additional tool and not a substitute for existing public health measures, and it is essential that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should immediately self-isolate and book an appointment for a PCR test through the HSE. Current advice on testing of children can be found on the HSE website at www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/testing-for-children/.
