COVID-19 test facilities have been increased in Limerick from today, as speculation mounts a lockdown may be enforced around the county, following a surge in confirmed cases.
Since last Wednesday NPHET announced 70 confirmed in Limerick, sparking a warning from Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, that it was “monitoring with growing concern the number of cases nationally, particularly in Limerick”.
While publicans around the country rejoiced the government’s approval to re-open all pubs from Sep 21, fresh doubts have been raised over whether or not wet pubs will in fact reopen in Limerick, in the wake of a sustained rise in cases locally.
Today the HSE opened an additional Covid 19 testing facility at St Joseph’s Health Campus, Mulgrave Street, increasing from three to seven test bays at the centre in the coming days.
“The new centre when fully operational can cater for up to 600-700 tests per day if demand requires, and will offer free testing for anyone who is referred by a GP,” said a HSE spokesman.
Those attending have been urged not to travel to the test centre by taxi or public transport; adhere to “social distancing”; and “wear a face-covering throughout (including travelling to and from the testing centre)”.
HSE Mid West Community Healthcare Chief Officer Maria Bridgeman, said the “additional pop up test centre becomes operational from today”.
“This centre will help us meet the increased demand for testing at a location which is very accessible to the community, and it is important the public continue to adhere to all public health guidelines as the HSE continues it’s response to Covid 19,” she added.
Appointments are being offered from 2pm to 8pm today.
The city test centre will be operational seven-days-a-week from Thursday, September 10th, (8am to 8pm).
The HSE urged those offered an appointment for testing “to please attend”, to avoid delaying or disappointing others.
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