Athlone Pop-Up Covid Testing Centre Extended To Those Living Within 15KM

Sunday, 4 April 2021 00:00

222 were tested today, with 349 attending on Friday.

The Athlone Pop-Up Covid Testing Centre has been extended to those living within 15KM of the facility.

The free walk in centre was initially only for people within 5kms of the site.

222 were tested yesterday, with 349 attending on Friday.

It was one of four new walk-in facilities which opened to try and find asymptomatic cases.

The Health Department has not published local county by county breakdown of today's figures.

HSE statement:

The free walk-in COVID-19 test centre located at Athlone Regional Sports Center from 11am to 7pm each day (for the 5 days it will be operating)

Prior to the extension, the COVID-19 test centre was open only for those from within a 5 kilometre radius.

The HSE’s Midlands Public Health Department and Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) working with the National Ambulance Service aim to carry out 300-500 COVID-19 tests per day.

The criteria for the free walk-in COVID-19 testing service are:

· Aged 16 years and over

· Do not have symptoms of Covid-19 but would like to be tested

· Live within 15km of the walk-in testing centre.

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

Process for Referral:

Each person presenting will be requested to provide ID e.g.

· A valid passport (passport book or passport card)

· A current driving licence (Irish, UK, EU, US)

· A Public Services Card

· A National Age Card (issued by An Garda Síochána)

· An identification form with a photograph signed by a member of An Garda Síochána

· Free Travel Pass

· A valid student identity card issued by an educational institution

· A bank card

Members of the public will need to bring with them photographic ID and provide a mobile phone number in order to provide test results. The normal social distancing measures will apply and people have the option to return at another day or time if the waiting times are too long.

The public are being advised that they should not attend the walk-in clinic if they are showing symptoms (high temperature, a new cough, shortness of breath or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste) of COVID-19. The HSE are continuing to advise people with these symptoms to self-isolate and phone their GP straight away, who will advise if they need a free COVID-19 test.