50,000 antigen testing kits have been sent around the country to testing sites.
Antigen tests are to be used from next week for testing close contacts of those with Covid-19, the HSE has confirmed.
Speaking to Virgin Media News, the HSE’s National Lead for Testing and Tracing Niamh O’Beirne said an increase in demand at community Covid-19 testing sites is expected at the start of next week.
As such, the HSE has decided to begin deploying the more rapid form of Covid-19 test for close contacts to use themselves at home.
“We have already sent out about 50,000 antigen testing kits around the country to all of our testing sites and we’ll start with introducing those for close contacts of confirmed cases,” O’Beirne said.
“They will be asked to pick up a test kit from their site and they’ll get to do four tests on day zero, five, seven and 10 and then if all of them are not detected, they will be released from restricting movements.
“If one is detected, we will then ask them to come back into the PCR testing system.”
Previously, close contacts were sent for two PCR tests on day zero and day 10.
Antigen tests will only be offered to close contacts over 13 years of age. Those under that age will still continue to take PCR tests in HSE testing sites.
Meanwhile, in a tweet on Tuesday, HSE CEO Paul Reid wrote: “Some of our Covid-19 swabbing sites now have up to 25% positives on testing & many counties at 10%.
“The more widespread it is in the community, the more it can breakthrough to those vaccinated. For a few weeks, let’s all take care, aim to see this off & reduce illness.”
Some of our #COVID19 swabbing sites now have up to 25% positives on testing & many counties at 10%. The more widespread it is in the community, the more it can breakthrough to those vaccinated. For a few weeks, let’s all take care, aim to see this off & reduce illness. @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) July 20, 2021
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