HSE to open 'walk-in' Covid test centre in Athlone this week

A centre where people can attend for Covid-19 testing without an appointment or GP referral will open in Athlone this Friday (April 2).

The temporary initiative is being set up at the Athlone Regional Sports Centre, on the Ballymahon Road, and will operate for five days, from 11am to 7pm each day.

The HSE said the testing service would be restricted to people living within 5km of the Regional Sports Centre.

It's aimed at people who do not have symptoms of Covid-19 but would like to be tested, and the HSE said the aim was to "break chains of transmission" by identifying more asymptomatic cases and getting those people to take action to prevent the spread of the virus to others.

People who do have symptoms are being asked to not attend the walk-in clinic but to self-isolate and phone their GP, who will advise them if they need a Covid-19 test.

The HSE local Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO), working with the National Ambulance Service, said it would be hoping to carry out 300-500 Covid-19 tests in Athlone each day.

"I am delighted that Athlone is one of the towns chosen for this 'walk-in, no appointment necessary' Covid-19 testing centre," said Dr Una Fallon, Director of Public Health Midlands.

"This will provide an opportunity for those who may not have symptoms but who suspect, for whatever reason, that they may have Covid-19. It will provide easy access to testing for our vulnerable communities."

People attending for the free walk-in Covid-19 testing service must be 16 years old or over, and must provide a form of ID, such as a passport, driving licence, public services card, age card, travel pass, student card, or bank card.

A similar walk-in testing service in Tullamore, which commenced last Thursday, finishes up today.

A HSE spokesperson said that, as of Monday evening, over 1,200 people had been tested at the walk-in centre in Tullamore, and the positivity rate had been approximately 2%.