Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
1066. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of the antigen testing initiative that was rolled out for select nursing homes; if he will share their views on the roll out of testing in nursing homes across the country, with the view of adding to the suite of measures to protect nursing home residents and staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53118/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA staff self-testing programme in Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) for Older Persons has been developed under the guidance of Directors of Public Health.
Testing commenced from 20th September onwards with 52 RCFs registered to 21st October.
The aim of the programme, running for 4 weeks initially in facilities in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Wicklow and Dublin North City and County, is to test the operational feasibility of using antigen self-testing within this sector as a tool, alongside other tools such as vaccination and infection prevention and control measures to assist in reducing in the number or size of outbreaks.
Of these, 39 have commenced testing and reporting results via the online system, with 3,685 negative results and 2 positives reported as of 21st October. Both positive cases were confirmed on PCR testing.
Rapid antigen testing can play a role as another tool in Ireland’s response to COVID-19, and the Department of Health, NPHET and the HSE continue to monitor their potential utility, and explore further how they can support the existing testing programme where appropriate.
