Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that Covid-19 testing is being wound down in the midlands given that we are heading into winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59968/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have accepted updated advice from the Chief Medical Officer relating to COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Surveillance which has also been approved by the Government.

In the coming weeks, the HSE will be adopting a targeted approach for COVID-19 testing which will be based on a clinical assessment where a clinician requires the result to contribute to the diagnosis and management of an individual patient. Swabbing will be undertaken by GPs in these circumstances. Testing will also take place where deemed necessary by Public Health in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk.

Based on the revised public health advice, community swabbing will no longer be a feature of our COVID-19 response as testing will no longer be recommended for the general population. The implementation of this advice will reduce the scale of testing and contact tracing around the country and is leading to consolidation of resources in the period ahead, including the closure of community testing facilities which will no longer be required. The HSE has also developed extensive plans for surge and emergency responses for future requirements for testing and tracing should that need be identified. This includes additional resources that I have provided to the National Ambulance Service to recruit permanent Intermediate Care Operatives who will be deployed for swabbing purposes should the need arise to reintroduce community swabbing in the future but who will be deployed on ambulance service duties in the meantime. I have been informed by the HSE that the number of staff working in swabbing centres will reduce in November as part of this transition and due to the reduced demand for COVID-19 Testing. HSE managers have met these staff individually and are seeking potential reassignment opportunities into suitable funded vacancies for those who are interested in continued employment with HSE.

The approach to COVID-19 testing is facilitated by the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland. This is mitigating against the worst impacts of infection.

I have also provided additional resources to the HSE to ensure enhancements are put in place to existing infectious disease surveillance systems. This will ensure effective monitoring and signalling of what is happening with the virus at population level, and so that we can understand disease transmission and severity along with population immunity and risk.

The pandemic is not over, and COVID-19 is still a concern so testing remains an important part of our ongoing response to the disease for individuals vulnerable to its effects and for whom testing is indicated. For everybody, continuing to follow our public health advice available on hse.ie is still important. Anybody who has symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. Anybody who has concerns about an underlying condition or their level of risk in relation to COVID-19 is advised to seek advice from their GP or treating clinician.

My Department, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL), overseen by the Chief Medical Officer, continue to review the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in Ireland and internationally. This includes the on-going close monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and assessment of any potential threat to population health.