The HSE planning to use antigen testing for outbreaks and potentially for close contacts, according to its chief executive Paul Reid
“We are planning to utilise antigen testing for outbreaks where they are very well proven and potentially also for close contacts,” Mr Reid told RTE’s This Week.
He said the HSE is looking at a range of initiatives.
“In the UK there’s elements of self-swabbing, et cetera,” he added.
Mr Reid said the health service is “extremely busy” as a result of a backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There is a delay factor where people haven’t come forward during Covid,” he said.
Mr Reid also said the cyber attack has caused a delay in GPs accessing diagnostics which is now being rectified.
“We are getting back to non-Covid care and addressing the backlog,” he said.
Addressing the delay in providing second vaccinations for people aged between 60 and 70, Paul Reid said: “The fact that people have been waiting is based on vaccination policy reducing from 16 weeks to four weeks.”
Mr Reid said that age group will be fully vaccinated “by the end of next week and early into the following week at the latest”.
He said he welcomes the Government’s “planned and pragmatic approach” to easing restrictions.
Mr Reid said long-term restrictions and lockdowns are not beneficial to the health service.
