Cork Kerry Community Healthcare is pleased to announce that the no-appointment testing for COVID-19 will continue at the test centre at Ballinacarriga, Dunmanway.
The testing, which is part of the HSE’s enhanced COVID-19 testing for local communities, began on Wednesday April 14th and was due to run for one week as a pilot.
Due to the success of that pilot and the steady flow of people presenting for the symptom-free, no appointment testing, that pilot is now being extended.
This means that people who are symptom-free can continue to have Covid-19 tests without requiring an advance appointment at the centre.
Head of Health and Wellbeing with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Priscilla Lynch said:
There has been a great response to this initiative from the community, so we will continue to offer the no-appointment testing at Ballinacarriga. This strategic testing initiative is seeking the support of the local community to assist in keeping cases low in this region by presenting for testing. We ask the public to remember that photo ID is required, along with a mobile number so we can contact them with their results.
She added:
Staff at the Ballinacarriga test centre in Dunmanway will continue provide a warm welcome and an efficient, safe testing service to everyone who comes forward for a test. The people of the region have done a fantastic job in recent weeks and months in sticking to the measures which prevent the spread of COVID-19. Taking up this opportunity for testing even when you don’t have symptoms will help us to go a step further again in containing any cases.
The testing is available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday at the existing test centre in the Randal Óg GAA Club in Dunmanway.
The walk-in / no appointment necessary testing operates alongside the existing testing at the centre whereby GPs refer those with symptoms, and close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19, for their COVID-19 test.
Walk-in testing of this kind has operated in a number of locations around the country in recent weeks, offering those with no symptoms of COVID-19, aged 16 and over an opportunity to be tested, allowing for the raising of awareness.
Help support Cork Safety Alerts by becoming a member – Click Here