Pop-up Covid test centre opening in Ballina

A pop-up Covid-19 test centre is opening in Ballina on Wednesday, November 10, for two days.

The HSE is continuing its programme of test centres which enable people in those communities local to the centre get a free Covid-19 test.

The centres are an important part of the HSE’s efforts to facilitate enhanced Covid-19 testing for local communities and means those without symptoms have convenient access to testing. They also allow further identification and understanding of any variants of concern within communities.

The HSE continues to monitor the need for asymptomatic pop-up testing centres and HSE public health teams across the country continue to advise on the most appropriate locations at any given time.

A symptom-free Covid-19 testing facility will open in The Stephenites Grounds, Lord Edward Street, Carrowcushlaun West, Ballina (F26 E622), on Wednesday and Thursday, November 10 and 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dr. Breda Smyth, Director of Public Health West, said: “With increased Covid activity levels in north Mayo, getting tested is another action people can take to reduce the spread of this disease. We would urge people living near this pop-up test centre and who are concerned about Covid-19 to book a free test.

“There are a lot of flus and colds circulating so if you are symptomatic at all, it is important to exclude Covid even if you are vaccinated. We are seeing break-through infection in vaccinated individuals so you are protected against severe illness and hospitalisation but it is very important that it is identified as a Covid infection that you can prevent further transmission within your household, within your loved ones and within your workplace.”

Breda Crehan-Roche, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare West, added: “I would like to thank everybody who has assisted us in getting the testing centre up and running. It is still important to wear a mask, wash your hands and if you are indoors to ventilate the space well.

“Let us all work together and continue to break the chain of transmission of the disease.”

All requests for COVID-19 tests will be by appointment only via the self-referral online portal https://covid19test.healthservice.ie/hse-self-referral/, GP referrals and appointments for close contacts (including schools).

You must bring a photo ID with you and provide a mobile phone number so you can be contacted with your test results.

Social distancing measures will apply as people arrive for testing.