Covid-19 PCR testing is to be wound down this autumn and will no longer be recommended for people who are either well or have mild illness, under revised Department of Health plans published today.
PCR testing will only occur based on a clinical assessment, where a clinician requires the result to contribute to the diagnosis and management of an individual patient, or when deemed necessary by public health in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk.
The HSE is working towards moving to a primary care GP-led swabbing service.
The change will take place under the Department of Health's Strategic Approach to the Management of COVID-19: Preparedness for Autumn/Winter 2022/23 plan.
Currently, HSE PCR testing is already limited.
Under the plans, in an emergency scenario, the HSE will roll out temporary testing centres across the country and a targeted contact tracing model will be stood up.
The plan envisages scaling capacity of up to 150,000 PCR tests a week by week eight, if required.
The plan from the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Breda Smyth, says that in the event that further vaccination is advised by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), the vaccination programme is capable of vaccinating/boosting up to the entire eligible population of 4.1 million people, if deemed clinically required and assuming continued security of effective vaccine supply.
