Athlone's Covid test centre to remain in place for longer due to high demand

The HSE has said the pop-up Covid-19 testing centre which opened at Athlone GAA club earlier this week will remain in place beyond its previously-announced closing date of this Friday.

HSE spokesperson Dymphna Bracken said the operation of the local testing centre would be extended due to the current level of demand. How long the centre will now remain in place is not yet known.

"The opening hours of the Athlone testing centre will extend beyond this week whilst the testing demand remains high," said Ms Bracken, in a brief statement.

The testing at the Athlone centre is being operated on an online self referral-only basis.

On the HSE's online portal for booking a test there were no slots available for a test in Athlone for the rest of today (Wednesday), at the time of writing.

A number of slots were available for appointments to get a test between 12.40pm and 5.40pm tomorrow.

Earlier this week, Athlone councillor Aengus O'Rourke called for the operation of the testing centre to be extended and for it to be a changed to a walk-in, no-appointment-needed, service.