Concern has been expressed by health professionals in Clare about testing capacity as we enter the winter period.
The number of cases of Covid-19 are on the rise, as the second wave of the pandemic takes hold.
307 new cases of covid-19 were confirmed across the country yesterday, the highest daily number in four months.
182 of those were in Dublin, 19 were in Limerick, while there were 6 new cases recorded in Clare.
The government says restrictions on home visits in Dublin and Limerick is an option that will now have to be considered and the National Public Health Emergency Team has urged people living there to reduce their social contacts.
It comes as the Irish Medical Organisation has said that GPs are seeing between 5 and 10 patients with respiratory issues over recent days.
It led to concern from one Clare GP over how practitioners in this county and elsewhere will manage their increasing workload coming into the winter months.
Current public health guidelines advises all parents who are concerned about their child’s health should contact their GP, but Ennis GP Dr Maire Finn says determining whether children should attend school is unsustainable.
However a north Clare member of the IMO says more rapid testing turnarounds will be the key to halting the slide of the pandemic.
Lahinch GP Dr Michael Kelleher says GP’s are central to the COVID testing process.
It comes as the HSE has announced additional capacity for Covid 19 testing in the Mid West.
A new testing centre is opening on Mulgrave Street in Limerick City and will offer free testing for anyone who is referred by a GP.
The centre, which is part of the HSE’s drive to improve accessibility for local communities, will cater for up to 700 tests a day, if demand requires once it’s fully operational.
HSE Mid West Community Healthcare Chief Officer Maria Bridgeman says it’s good new for the entire region.
