Details of Tullamore's 'walk-in' Covid test centre announced
A centre where people can attend for Covid-19 testing without an appointment or GP referral will open in Tullamore tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
The temporary service is to be located at Tullamore's Aura Leisure Centre on the Portarlington Road and will operate for one week, until Wednesday next, March 31, from 11am to 7pm each day.
The HSE said the centre is for people who don't have symptoms of Covid-19 but would like to be tested.
It said people who do have symptoms should not attend the walk-in clinic but should self-isolate and phone their GP straight away, who will advise them if they need a free Covid-19 test.
The HSE local Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO), working with the National Ambulance Service, said it would be hoping to carry out 300-500 Covid-19 tests per day.
"I am delighted that Tullamore is one of the towns chosen for a 'walk-in, no appointment necessary' Covid-19 testing centre," said Dr Una Fallon, Director of Public Health Midlands.
"This will provide an opportunity for those who may not have symptoms but who suspect, for whatever reason, that they may have Covid-19. It will provide easy access to testing for our vulnerable communities," explained Dr Fallon.
Earlier today it had been reported that the walk-in clinic would be at the at the High St Car Park in Tullamore, but at 6pm a statement was issued by HSE which said the site would be Tullamore Leisure Centre.
People attending for the free walk-in Covid-19 testing service must be 16 years old or over, and must provide a form of ID, such as a passport, driving licence, public services card, age card, travel pass, student card, or bank card.
In listing the criteria for people to use the service, the HSE also indicated it would be limited to people who live within 5km of the walk-in centre.
People will have to provide their mobile phone number at the centre in order to receive the test results.
Des O'Flynn, Chief Officer, HSE Midlands Louth Meath, said the temporary walk-in centre would allow people, who don't have symptoms of Covid-19 to get a free Covid-19 test without having to contact their GP first.
"Testing people with no symptoms will help find positive cases earlier and allow these people take the necessary action to protect others. This will help us break chains of transmission," he added.
On social media, earlier today, the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the walk-in testing was being introduced in Tullamore and at four sites in Dublin in response to their high number of cases.
"Five new 'walk-in, no appointment necessary' testing centres will open tomorrow - at locations in Dublin and Tullamore. The HSE is opening the walk-in centres in areas where the number of positive cases is particularly high," tweeted the Minister.
"Increasing the number of people tested will help us better understand how and why the virus is spreading quicker in certain areas. The locations have been determined based on local disease prevalence and public health advice."