The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
CLARE people who are waiting for a Covid-19 test are being urged to self-isolate until they have their test in the interest of curbing the spread of the virus.
In a statement released to the Clare Champion, HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare has reiterated that Clare people who wish to attend the test centre in Ballymaley, Ennis must have a referral from their doctor or GP.
People are also advised to only attend the test centre at their allocated time and to attend their designated centre.
HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare has also confirmed there is a high volume of people requesting a Covid-19 test as the country experiences a third wave of the virus.
Any person can get a free test for Coronavirus if they have symptoms of Covid-19 and their GP thinks they need to be tested, if they are told they are a close contact by the HSE’s close contact tracing team.
Anyone who is categorised as a close contact with get a text message with a link to book an online test.
If a GP decides a patient need a Covid-19 test, they will arrange a test for them. People should self-isolate while they wait for their test. People in this household will need to restrict their movements. This means they should not go to work or school.
Patients should ensure their GP has the correct mobile number for them. Test details and test result will be sent to the patient by text message.
Having a test is important if your GP decides you need one. It can help a patient to find out if they have Covid-19 and avoid spreading the virus to someone else.
It can also help the HSE to understand how far the virus is spreading and to plan for extra demand on health services.
A patient will get a text message with the time and location of their test. The text will include a reference number, which needs to be brought to the appointment.
Most people will have their test at a community test centre. Some test centres are drive-through.
Testing is by appointment only. The HSE has stressed patients should not go to a test centre without an appointment as they will not be seen.
A patient’s GP and HSELive do not have access to their reference number.
Dan Danaher
