Cavan Leisure Centre.

COVID-19 ‘Walk-in’ test centre to open in Cavan Town

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A ‘walk-in, no appointment necessary’ COVID-19 test centre for people with no symptoms will open at Cavan Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre, Drumalee, Cavan, on Friday, May 7, for four days.

The free service is located at a central and accessible location in the town, and will operate from 11am to 7pm daily, from Friday, May 7, to Monday, May 10 inclusive.

The decision to open the centre follows a spike in confirmed cases of Covid in County Cavan over the bank holiday weekend with 27 cases alone reported last Saturday.

The HSE’s Department of Public Health North East and Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) Area 1 are working with the National Ambulance Service to identify asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 and reduce further transmission in the community.

The temporary walk-in test centre will allow people, who don’t have symptoms of COVID-19, to get a free test.

A spokesperson for the HSE said: "We urge members of the public who have symptoms of COVID-19 to consult with their GP to arrange a COVID-19 test, and to not avail of the walk-in facility. Anyone who has already scheduled a COVID-19 test is asked not to attend the walk-in centre."

You should use this free, walk-in COVID-19 testing service if you:

• are aged 16 years and over

• do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but would like to be tested

• have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last six months

Members of the public will need to bring photo ID and provide a mobile phone number in order to provide test results.

Dr Augustine Pereira, director of Public Health North East, said: “Increased community testing is vital to help identify those who are infected and infectious, but unaware that they might be spreading the virus. We want to make testing as accessible as possible and I would urge local people to get a free test and help us take control of this situation.”

John Hayes, Chief Officer, HSE Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) Area 1, further explained: “Testing people with no symptoms will help find positive cases earlier and allow these people take the necessary action to protect others. This will help us break chains of transmission.”

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Sarah O’Reilly added: “We are pleased to cooperate with the HSE on the opening of this walk-in test centre, which will allow people in Cavan Town and surrounding areas to get a free COVID-19 test without an appointment. I want to thank everyone for playing their part in tackling the spread of the virus and would urge you to continue to follow public health advice and adhere to the government guidelines.”

You can get a free Covid-19 test at a walk in Test Centre if you do not have symptoms. You do not need an appointment or a referral from a GP.

Deputy Brendan Smith welcomed the announcement of the opening of the walk in test centre: “I am glad that the Minister for Health has approved the proposal by the HSE for a walk-in self referral ovid-19 Testing Centre in Cavan Town. If you have symptoms of Covid-19 do not go to a walk-in centre. self isolate and phone a GP straight away,” Deputy Smith concluded..

Up to date information on the location and opening days and times of COVID -19 walk-in test centres is available at COVID-19 walk-in test centres: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/testing/covid-19-walk-in-test-centres.html

* The Eircode of the test centre is: H12 Y9W4)