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The HSE is under such pressure that it may have to stop offering a Covid-19 test to everyone with symptoms in the coming weeks, Independent.ie has learned.
The test-and-trace system is becoming increasingly overwhelmed to the point that self-testing may have to be abandoned for everyone suspected of having the lethal virus.
Instead, tests targeting particular groups, such as older people, may need to be introduced.
It occurs when 4,962 new cases of the virus were reported today.
Anyone with symptoms of the virus is still being referred for testing as of now.
In a letter to GPs, Dr Nuala O’Connor from the Irish College of General Practitioners said: “We may again be testing symptomatic groups in the coming weeks rather than testing all symptomatic groups. that have symptoms as we did in the first phase of the pandemic. “
The guide also said that if close contacts have continuous exposure to the person with COVID-19, such as a family member who cannot isolate himself, a child or a dependent adult, the family must stay home for 17 days.
It was also found that 25% of people who test positive do not respond to the first call from public health personnel requesting a list of their contacts.
Dr. O’Connor said: “At least five attempts are made over two days. Additional efforts are also made to identify the correct phone numbers for all cases. Incorrect phone numbers are part of this problem, so try to make sure you have the correct mobile phone number for all your patients. I know that most of you call your patients who have a positive result and encourage them to start making a list of their close contacts. “
She said that “HSE is asking everyone in Ireland to stay home and to act effectively as if they could develop COVID-19.
“This is in response to the very high positive test rates seen in recent days and the widespread increase in infections in our communities across the country. This is a temporary measure and we will retest close contacts as the third wave is under control.
“The testing capacity is 25,000 tests per day. 40% of the tests in the last few weeks were done in close contacts. “
Close contacts will continue to be identified in the same way through a phone call to those who test positive by an HSE contact tracker. Formally identified close contacts will receive a text message from the HSE explaining that they will not be tested but that they must stay home / restrict their movements for the full 14 days from the last contact with the person with COVID.
“If close contacts have continuous exposure to the person with COVID-19, that is, a family member who cannot self-isolate (child or dependent adult), the family must stay home for 17 days. If a close contact does not know when they were last in contact with the case, then they must stay home for 14 days from the date of the text message.
“Some close contacts can be lost and will self-identify. The advice for these is the same and we do not need to notify Public Health. If close contacts develop symptoms, they are advised to self-isolate, contact their GP or after hours, and should be referred for testing as usual. “
He said GPs have the discretion to refer an asymptomatic close contact for testing if they consider it medically important, for example living with an extremely vulnerable person.
Members of the medical practice team and any healthcare workers who identify themselves as close contacts should be tested.
Referring to travelers from the mainland UK and South Africa, he said they need to self-isolate for 14 days and get tested on day five.
“If they test positive, their close contacts need a test on day five and should be referred by their GP.”
Public health teams will manage complex settings, eg schools, congregation settings, outbreaks and this may involve testing for close contacts.
From now on, patients with symptoms must continue to be referred for testing.
They will receive their results by text message as usual, as well as by phone calls from contact tracing teams to gather details of their close contacts.
Given the current pressure on the system, “it is prudent to encourage patients to inform their close contacts if they feel comfortable doing so prior to formal contact tracing system.”
Online editors
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