Following an update from the Public Health Board, testing for Covid-19 is no longer recommended for the vast majority of the population, reports RTE.
The move is another significant step back from the measures announced during the pandemic, which began three years ago.
This means that the remaining test centers across the country have closed their doors and the online self-reference portal on the HSE website for booking PCR tests is no longer operational.
In addition, from today, health workers who are close contacts of the family unit are no longer required to undergo antigen tests.
This means that the antigen ordering facility on HSE.ie has also closed, along with specific guidance to be provided to health and care professionals.
The HSE said the decisions were made on the basis of the best available evidence regarding the management of the virus and because there is now a high degree of protection in the population through the vaccination program and immunity to infection, reports RTE.
HSE’s national director for public health, Dr. John Cuddy said the move proves “the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland, as well as the development of new treatments, all of which are mitigating the worst impacts of Covid-19 infection”, reports RTE.
The HSE advises people with symptoms of COVID or other viral respiratory tract infection such as dry cough or high temperature to stay at home and away from other people for 48 hours after symptoms have substantially or completely resolved Limit contact.
But they do not need to undergo the Covid-19 test.
The HSE said that PCR and antigen tests will continue to be used by doctors in hospitals and primary care settings for the purpose of diagnosis and decision-making about delivery of treatment for COVID-19.
Testing for the virus may also be used by public health teams in the management of outbreaks in high-risk settings where they believe onward transmission is likely and could have a serious impact.
The HSE has said that its response to COVID-19 is no longer focused on widespread testing and contact tracing.
Its Lead for Covid-19 Test and Trace and Vaccination, Eileen Whelan, said: “A reduced contact tracing service will remain and contact tracing will be limited to those who have had a positive test in settings and scenarios (such as hospitals and long-term care facilities) where further transmission is likely, and could have serious impact based on Public Health Risk Assessment,” reports RTE.
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