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THREAD: Just to offer a bit of clarity on testing delays/backlogs:
There are two processes happening - sampling and testing.
First you have a sample (or swab) taken at a testing centre
.
There are two processes happening - sampling and testing.
First you have a sample (or swab) taken at a testing centre
.
When the case definition was widened to include anyone with any symptoms, a huge backlog was created.
We were hearing at that time of people waiting longer than a week (and longer than that!) for an appointment because of a worldwide shortage of swabbing kits.
We were hearing at that time of people waiting longer than a week (and longer than that!) for an appointment because of a worldwide shortage of swabbing kits.
The HSE has said that supply shortage has now been addressed and there are enough swabs to meet the demand for testing.
Of course the demand for testing has decreased now anyway with the new criteria (prioritising healthcare workers and vulnerable groups).
Of course the demand for testing has decreased now anyway with the new criteria (prioritising healthcare workers and vulnerable groups).
This evening Dr Colm Henry said because this shortage has been addressed, and with the number of testing centres (for taking swabs) now in place, if you were referred today you could get an appointment as early as tomorrow, or at least in a couple of days. So, that's sampling.
There are still delays in the *testing* stage, which happens at labs.
This is where your sample is tested for the genetic material of the virus.
These delays are not due to the shortage of swabs - these are due to the shortage of required chemicals, or 'reagents'
This is where your sample is tested for the genetic material of the virus.These delays are not due to the shortage of swabs - these are due to the shortage of required chemicals, or 'reagents'
A number of actions have been taken to try to secure the supply chain and address the backlog (including sending 2,000 swabs a day to Germany).
But here's where we currently stand...
But here's where we currently stand...
42,484 *lab* tests have been carried out to date - 12,271 in the last week.
This evening @CillianDeGascun said some people are still waiting up to 10 days for a result (and I've heard of some waiting longer), particularly those who are not in priority groups.
This evening @CillianDeGascun said some people are still waiting up to 10 days for a result (and I've heard of some waiting longer), particularly those who are not in priority groups.
. @CillianDeGascun said it will likely be another 3-4 weeks now before we get to that target of 15,000 lab tests per day.
