From today, close contacts of COVID-19 patients will be tested twice even if they are not showing any symptoms.
The Irish College of General Practitioners said the change will see close contacts tested as soon as a patient is diagnosed and again seven days later.
The HSE informed doctors of the changes in a letter yesterday.
Dublin GP Dr. Maitiu O'Toole says it's a welcome move:
“It is hugely important when you think of the fact that we now know that 50% of people with COVID-19 can be asymptomatic so what this will allow us to do is detect those 50% of the people that are asymptomatic,” he said.
“I think it is a really, really welcome development now that we are starting to ease restrictions because as I said it will allow us to identify those people who have COVID-19 and don’t know that they are spreading it.”
Excellent development on the #Covid19 testing front from tomorrow!
The close contacts of patients who test positive will be tested on Day 1 + Day 7,whether or not they have symptoms
This is key given 50% of people are asymptomatic + is just what we need as we ease restrictions! pic.twitter.com/QOg2XpwNtm
— Maitiu O Tuathail (@otuathail) May 17, 2020
It comes as thousands of businesses reopen their doors as part of the first phase of the reopening roadmap.
The Government has said people should only visit the newly reopened shops for essential supplies.
Groups of up to four people are now allowed to meet outdoors, provided they follow social distancing guidelines.
Meanwhile, tennis courts and golf courses are reopening – however, only to members who live within the 5km radius.
There are still only five scenarios in which people are advised to leave their homes:
- To go to work if your workplace is open and you can’t work from home
- To shop for items you need
- To exercise with 5km of your home
- For medical reasons or to care for others
- To meet friends or family outdoors in groups of no more than four
