Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1610. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if free Covid-19 rapid antigen tests will be made available to all HSE employees, particularly those who may be caring for elderly or high-risk family members at home, irrespective of symptoms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33944/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, policy relating to testing for COVID-19 is based on public health advice. The current public health advice is not indicating any need for the HSE to provide free Covid-19 rapid antigen tests to all HSE employees. Instead, the HSE has adopted a targeted approach to COVID-19 testing based on a clinical assessment where a clinician requires the result to contribute to the diagnosis and management of an individual patient. Testing continues in hospitals in accordance with public health advice and in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk. Testing also continues in community settings where a GP may decide to undertake a swab in relation to the management of an individual patient.
Health and care workers (HCWs) should order antigen tests if they meet one of the following criteria:
• you have symptoms of a respiratory infection
• you have a high temperature
• you do not feel well enough to attend work
This approach to COVID-19 testing is facilitated by the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland. We have also implemented significant enhancements to infectious disease surveillance systems, which allows on-going assessment and close monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and the assessment of any potential threats to population health from COVID-19. This remains under continuous review from public health experts in the HSE.
Public health advice relating to COVID-19 is available on the website of the HSE at www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/. People who have symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone and avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from COVID-19. 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. In addition, public health advice particularly for healthcare staff is available on the websites of the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
