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Since the school has closed, one of the things I’ve been doing is helping out with testing for COVID-19 at Tallaght Stadium.
Some of the people we help getting tested are kids like you, so I wanted to let you know what to expect if you have to be tested.
(Don’t I look silly?)
Some of the people we help getting tested are kids like you, so I wanted to let you know what to expect if you have to be tested.
(Don’t I look silly?)
Lots of people will need to be tested in the next few weeks. You can’t just walk up and get a test though! You need a doctor to arrange a test for you.
A doctor will do this if they think you need a test - maybe if you have a fever and a cough, or for other reasons.
A doctor will do this if they think you need a test - maybe if you have a fever and a cough, or for other reasons.
Most people have to wait a couple of days for a test. You might have heard people talk about “self-isolation” - it means staying at home, and if you need a test the doctor will ask you to do that for a few days.
When your appointment arrives, most people come by car to Tallaght Stadium or one of the other testing sites. If your family don’t have a car, don’t worry - you can walk in.
You’ll meet someone like me in the car park and we’ll help you get tested.
You’ll meet someone like me in the car park and we’ll help you get tested.
We’ll give you a face mask and tell you what to expect. When everything is ready, we’ll get you to drive in or walk in to a testing bay - a room where there are nurses and other medical workers who will actually do the test with you.
It really doesn’t take long. They will tell you exactly what to do - blow your nose first, and then they’ll do a test with a swab (a small stick with cotton pads) - they’ll put it in your nose and at the back of your throat. That’s it!
Not too scary, is it?!
Not too scary, is it?!
After that you’ll go home and wait for your results. These usually take a few days, so you’ll need to keep self-isolating.
The test will show if the virus is present (positive) or is not present (negative).
Even if you get a positive result, you’ll probably be fine!
The test will show if the virus is present (positive) or is not present (negative).
Even if you get a positive result, you’ll probably be fine!
As we know, children who have the virus don’t usually get too sick. Mam or dad will take good care of you even if you do. You might need to go to a hospital to be on the safe side.
Let’s make sure to stay at home and keep washing our hands to stay as healthy as we can!
Let’s make sure to stay at home and keep washing our hands to stay as healthy as we can!
