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Tuesday 26 September 2023 Dublin: 13°C

# Testing

Last year
2022
People with Covid symptoms must self-isolate but most don’t need a test, interim CMO explains
Testing is now being targeted at medically vulnerable people.
Shanghai to start easing lockdown after mass Covid testing
Large swathes of the city, with a population of 26 million, have been under lockdown since March 28.
All time
New Covid testing and isolation guidelines: Here's everything you need to know
The changes are aimed at freeing up Covid-19 testing capacity and easing disruption to businesses.
First vaccination clinics for vulnerable children held as hospitals face pressure due to Covid
The number of people in hospital with Covid jumped by 75 overnight.
The number of people in hospital with Covid jumped by 75 overnight.
There were 16,959 positive swabs reported today by the Department of Health
The booster programme hit the milestone of 2,000,000 doses administered.
Omicron is 'running rife in our communities' but has not yet peaked, HSE boss says
New Year parties given go-ahead in England as UK splits over Omicron controls
Demand for Covid tests 'extremely high' as system ramps up again post Christmas
There were no appointments available in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford at the time of writing.
Biden pledges 500 million free rapid Covid tests to counter Omicron
People will use a new website to order their tests, which will then be sent by US mail at no charge, the White House said.
Third additional Covid test centre this week to open in Swords tomorrow
The HSE confirmed that it expects the three new centres will continue to operate beyond this week.
'No plans' to close hospitality or retail over the Christmas period, says Varadkar
The HSE’s Paul Reid has urged people waiting on a test to continue to isolate for at least 48 hours after symptoms end.
Plan to subsidise antigen tests to be signed off on later this week or next Tuesday, says Tánaiste
Subsidised antigen tests are expected to be made available at pharmacies for €2 to €3.
Antigen tests are being used 'widely but not properly', says chief medical officer
Dr Tony Holohan cautioned that people with Covid-19 symptoms should receive a PCR test instead of relying on antigen testing.
HSE says 'disappearing' list on online portal is intentional for close contacts in schools
It was highlighted that a positive case’s close contacts disappeared when the ‘school setting’ option was selected.
Ireland given the all-clear for All Blacks clash after Covid scare in camp
Andy Farrell’s matchday 23 will line out as named yesterday.
New testing regime on the cards for people who can't get the vaccine on medical grounds
People who have not got their second dose cannot use the Covid Pass to access a number of services.
State could buy 500,000 antigen tests per week as Govt told rapid testing may play 'important role'
Ireland is understood to have two million rapid tests in stock.
Additional supports for Covid testing in some counties as positivity rises in community
Yesterday around 17,000 tests were done in the community.
Over €480 million spent on Covid-19 tests provided free of charge since start of pandemic
A report by
Lauren Boland
The HSE has purchased two million “I got my Covid-19 vaccine” badges at a cost of €320,000.
€217 million has been spent on providing free PCR tests this year up to August, Lauren Boland reports.
The HSE has purchased two million “I got my Covid-19 vaccine” badges and spent €8,800 on photo backdrops.
It is "very pleased" with the number of people sharing photos online after they receive a vaccine.
CMO: Reimposing Covid-19 restrictions 'cannot be ruled out' in the future
No plans to change current testing regime, but contact screening to be reduced in longer-term
Number of children aged five to 12 tested for Covid quadruples
A further 1,413 cases of Covid-19 were notified on today.
No plans to change current testing regime, but contact screening to be reduced in longer-term
A paper drawn up for NPHET suggested children under 13 with mild symptoms should no longer be tested.
The HSE says there are no current plans to change the existing testing regime.
However, an internal discussion paper suggested those with mild symptoms may be able to forego a test.
Close contact testing will likely be scaled back in the future if the pandemic recedes to an epidemic.
Explainer: How schools are handling Covid-19 pressure not long after reopening
Health service expects ‘busy’ September for Covid-19 testing in schools
The HSE national lead said the executive was already tracking and carrying out testing in several hundred schools since they re-opened.
Online booking system for Covid-19 tests set up for all counties
People can still show up to these test centres without booking an appointment.
Dáil committee calls on Holohan to explain opposition to antigen tests
NPHET has objected to the use of the rapid tests among the general public.
High volumes at Covid testings centres amid ransomware disruption
People who are symptomatic are being advised to go to any community testing centre.
'A false reassurance': Health officials caution against widespread use of rapid antigen tests
Supermarket chain LIDL made headlines on Thursday when it announced it will stock rapid antigen testing kits in its stores.
Eight more temporary walk-in test centres, including two in Donegal, to open
Donegal has experienced a rise in cases in recent weeks.
HSE to temporarily open walk-in Covid-19 test centres in seven more towns
More than 50,000 people have been tested in the existing walk-in centres.
Four new walk-in Covid-19 test centres will open this week
Three of the centres will be located in Dublin and the fourth one will be located in Cahir, Co Tipperary.
Four new walk-in Covid test centres open as 255 patients in hospital with Covid-19
The number of hospitalisations is at its lowest point since Christmas Day.
The number of hospitalisations is at its lowest point since Christmas Day.
As of 6.30pm last night, there were 61 people with Covid-19 in intensive care units.
The HSE is opening the walk-in centres in areas where the number of positive cases are particularly high.
Coronavirus: 18 deaths and 761 new cases confirmed in Ireland
Rapid testing 'could be deployed in all schools by September 2021'
Positivity rate running at 3% as 7,500 people attend walk-in Covid-19 test centres
Four of the walk-in centres are in different parts of Dublin and one is in Tullamore.
Poll: Would you take a free, walk-in Covid-19 test for people without symptoms?
Five test centres opened this week across the country.
1,400 people attend new 'walk-in, no appointment needed' Covid-19 test centres today
The temporary testing centres will allow people who don’t have symptoms of Covid-19 to get a free test.
HSE to roll-out widescale retrospective contact tracing from 31 March
Around 20% of cases are currently identified as community transmission.
Scrum coach Servat tests positive as France confirm third Covid-19 case
However, all the French players have tested negative for the second time this week.
UL to set up test centre after rise in Covid-19 cases among students living near campus
The cases are “largely based around simple household visits”.
Door-to-door testing blitz in England to find ‘every single’ South African strain case
Mobile testing units and home testing kits will be deployed across eight communities in England.
HSE says cases need to drop at a 'consistent level' before it can resume testing close contacts
Covid-19 testing criteria for close contacts changed last month.
Standby list of frontline healthcare workers should be in place for any leftover vaccines, HSE says
A HSE document says “every effort should be made” to ensure vaccines are given to frontline healthcare workers.
Premier League records 40 Covid-19 cases in latest week of testing
The figure is more than double that of the previous week, which was the highest since the beginning of Project Restart.
Covid-19 close contacts no longer advised to get tested but still told to restrict movements
It is still “imperative” for close contacts to restrict movements and contact a GP if symptoms develop.
Thousands of lorry drivers could spend Christmas in Kent traffic backlog
Drivers coming from the UK need to be tested to be allowed into France – causing huge delays despite the borders being opened.
Full Covid-19 testing and tracing will be provided during the Christmas period
The Covid facilities will have to be fully resourced over the holidays, says the HSE.