New testing rules will now apply for those seeking a test for Covid-19.
Chief medical officer Tony Holohan has confirmed that the criteria for testing has been tightened and will be limited to those who have a high probability of having the virus.
Patients wishing to seek a test must now meet the revised criteria and be displaying at least two of the major symptoms in order to qualify for a swab. These symptoms are a fever and a cough or shortness of breath.
Those who will be tested must be displaying two of these symptoms and fall in to a priority group. Someone in a priority group falls under the following:
- Contact with a confirmed case
- Healthcare worker
- Vulnerable groups
Dr. Tony Holohan said at least 20,000 people had contacted their GPs to be tested for the virus in the past 10 days and it was not sustainable to meet this demand.
He said. "As we learn more about this disease, we are prioritising who will be tested. If you are not in a priority group, you might not be tested. However, if you have the symptoms, assume you have Covid-19 and isolate yourself."
The changes follow the application of new World Health Organization case definition and prioritisation criteria.
