Huge increase in number of Covid-19 tests conducted in Donegal

THERE has been a sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 tests being carried out in Donegal.

The HSE has confirmed to Donegal Daily that there has been a 40.5 per cent rise in the number of tests over respective seven-day periods.

In the seven days, ending August 16 (from August 10-August 16 inclusive), 537 test were carried out in Donegal Community Testing Centre, O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny.

This is in comparison to the period from August 3-August 9 inclusive when a total of 382 tests were carried out at the facility.

Since the end of July, the number of tests conducted on a weekly basis has risen by 168 per cent.

There are now an average of 76.7 tests a day being carried out.

With GAA training and matches having returned in the last month, the HSE is still exploring its options with regard to sourcing a new location for testing.

A spokesperson told Donegal Daily: “O’Donnell Park is the designated  Community Testing Centre in County Donegal at present and the HSE continues to work with their HSE Estate colleagues in reviewing a number of alternative site options in the Letterkenny area.”