Patrick Costello
Question:1564. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the reasoning for the closure of PCR testing centres; and if he will consider reopening them should health conditions require same. [17241/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (1564)
Written answers
The public health advice is that testing for COVID-19 is no longer recommended for most of the population. We have now moved from extensive testing and tracing of infection to reduce transmission, towards a focus on mitigation of the severe impacts of COVID-19 in those people most vulnerable to its effects.
The current approach to COVID-19 testing is facilitated by the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland. This is mitigating against the worst impacts of infection.
Based on the public health advice, community swabbing and supply of antigen tests are no longer a feature of our COVID-19 response. As and from 30 March 2023, self-referral for PCR testing and ordering of antigen tests by members of the public is now closed. Routine serial testing in long-term residential care facilities is also discontinued.
Testing remains available in long-term residential care facilities in the event of an identified public health need, such as for example, where deemed necessary in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk based on Public Health advice. Testing also continues to be provided in acute settings according to prevailing public health advice in those settings. Since 9 December 2022, GPs are providing swabbing for COVID-19 where the result is required to contribute to the diagnosis and management of an individual patient, such as for patients for whom treatment with Paxlovid is currently recommended.
Should the need arise, the HSE has developed testing and tracing surge and emergency response plans which provide for a roll-out of temporary testing centres across the country and establishment of an appropriately targeted contact tracing model.
Additional resources have been provided to the HSE to ensure enhancements are put in place to existing infectious disease surveillance systems. This will ensure effective monitoring and signalling of virus activity, transmission, and severity at population level.
Anybody who has symptoms of a respiratory infection such as COVID-19 should stay at home until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. Anybody who has concerns about an underlying condition or their level of risk in relation to COVID-19 is advised to seek advice from their GP or treating clinician. Public health advice continues to be made available on www.hse.ie.
The Department of Health, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL), overseen by the Chief Medical Officer, continue to review the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in Ireland and internationally. This includes the on-going close monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and assessment of any potential threat to population health.