Press Release
HSE Mid West Community Healthcare
Tuesday 27.10.2020
HSE Mid West Community Healthcare is pleased to announce a new Covid 19 testing centre in Limerick is now open. As part of the HSE’s drive to improve accessibility for coronavirus testing for local communities the new centre when fully operational can cater for up to 1000 tests per day if demand requires.
The centre is based at East Point Retail Park, Ballysimon Rd, Limerick (old Wicks site) and will offer free testing for anyone who is referred by a GP.
The test centres at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick and at St Joseph’s Health Campus, Limerick are now closed.
Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face-covering throughout (including travelling to and from the testing centre).
HSE Mid West Community Healthcare Chief Officer Maria Bridgeman, said: “We are very pleased to make this announcement, the new test centre is an indoor facility which is very much welcomed at this time of the year and includes 10 test bays catering for up to 1000 tests per day. I want to express my sincere thanks to the GAA and their staff in Limerick who have been so accommodating to the HSE in the Mid West in supporting our testing requirements at the Gaelic grounds and at Mick Neville Park. I want to take this opportunity to urge the public continue to adhere to all public health guidelines as the HSE continues it’s response to Covid 19”
Appointments will be offered from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. The HSE would strongly urge those offered an appointment for testing to please attend.
Ends
Drive-thru test centre
You can drive yourself if you feel well enough. If not, someone in your household can drive you. If you have a child who has an appointment to be tested, you can drive them.
Do not go to a drive-thru test centre unless you are in a car and have an appointment - you will not be seen otherwise.
- Drive to the centre.
- Stay in your car at all times.
- Follow the signs and the directions of staff.
- A healthcare worker will ask you to open your window.
- They'll direct you to a test bay to take your test sample - do not get out of car.
- One healthcare worker will take your personal details - this is so we can contact you with your results.
- Another will take two swabs from inside the back of your throat and nose - this may be uncomfortable but it won't be painful.
- You will drive home and keep self-isolation.