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THE CHANGING ADVICE for both symptomatic under-40s and close contacts of confirmed cases has been reflected in guidance from the HSE.
As part of efforts to ease the pressure on the testing system, people who are at greater risk from Covid-19 are being prioritised for PCR tests.
As of yesterday, people aged 4-39 with Covid symptoms now being asked to self-isolate immediately and take regular antigen tests instead of immediately booking a PCR test.
People in this group are being told to only book a PCR test after they have had a positive antigen result.
People are required to self-isolate when they have symptoms and to do the first antigen test as soon as possible, a second test 24 hours later and a third test 24 hours after that.
If the three antigen tests are negative people are asked to continue to self-isolate until they have not had symptoms for 48 hours.
Tests are now being provided free-of-charge to people aged 4-39 with Covid symptoms, with a HSE portal now live for these people to order their tests which are sent out by post.
The HSE has said that ordering antigen test kits online is only available from 8am to 8pm to allow for “coordination with the logistics and distribution”.
Antigen tests are also sent out free-of-charge to people who are close contacts of a PCR-confirmed case of Covid-19. Negative tests as part of this programme can be logged on the HSE’s website.
At present, there is no system for people who have a positive antigen test result to report it online or to list their close contacts but this is believed to be under consideration.
Instead, those who have a positive antigen tests result are advised to self-isolate and seek a PCR test.
The HSE has said it capacity to send out 350,000 antigen tests per week.
The advice for close contacts varies depending on a number factors, such as an individual’s vaccination status and the nature of their contact with the confirmed case.
The HSE provides a list of the differing advice for different situations.
Each circumstance provides advice for the testing someone must undertake and to what extent they must restrict their movements.
The advice for restricting movements has changed slightly as of yesterday, however.
Previously the period of self-isolation began when someone received a text from the HSE informing them they are a close contact, the advice now states that the period of self-isolation begins “from when you were last in contact with the person who tested positive”.
“If you do not know when this was, do this from when you get the close contact text message from the HSE,” the advice states.
Further changes to advice around self-isolation for close contacts understood to be considered amid the huge numbers of people involved.
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Im a 40 year old working with the public every day….why am I excluded from this group? I’ve had to work through the whole pandemic!?
@Brian Sherry: I’ll order a few & send them on to ya. Wink wink nudge nudge…
@Brian Sherry: my guess is they think this will free up PCR tests and anyone over 39 will be able to easily avail of them.
@Brian Sherry: Because if you’re symptomatic you should go for a free PCR test which was always the case.
@Brian Sherry: because your not 39 ?………… But seriously i’d imagine it’s what the other poster said about freeing up PCR tests for older bracket
@Brian Sherry: because you can get a perfect and the under 40s can’t, id happily swap lad
@WHUFCLad: pcr test**
@Brian Sherry: do what most goughers will do change there birth date to suit the age bracket and the test will be sent out. Personally I wouldn’t need to waste a test if I have symptoms I’ll just presume I have covid and isolate.
It should be free for all age groups
@Mick Dunne: PCR tests are free. This is so that over 40s – who are more at risk of serious illness- can get a PCR test. It’s not that complicated.
@EvieXVI: Why bother with PCR tests at all if antigen is positive, just upload result and isolate and trigger social welfare payments with the positive antigen, its a waste of resources
Why is this bit of goodish news greeted with a slew of whataboutary comments?
@Doreen Murphy: because whataboutery is what The Journal commenters do best
@Doreen Murphy: If you have to ask that, you’ve not been around here long enough!
One tool even brought up ‘Tony’ (namedropping, a clear sign of a tool) not wearing a mask at the briefings.
This is what we are delaing with, unfortunately.
@Doreen Murphy: Because this is what people are like now.
@: sadly, this is very true.
Good luck trying to book a PCR test whatever age you are, regardless of whether you get a positive antigen test or not. Have tried to book a PCR for two household members since last Thursday to no avail.
Why do primary school children have to wear masks yet Tony Holohan doesn’t have to wear one when talking at the briefings?
@Victoria Victoria: in the name of jaysus!!
@Victoria Victoria: I’m embarrassed for you.
@Doreen Murphy: Couldn’t stop laughing at this. Some amount of moan bags on here.
@Football in the Groin: instead of being such a rick with a P could you and doddy Dora above not just attempt to provide the lady with an answer? I’ve no idea if it is a genuine question or not but your default position should be to attempt to answer it without being smart.
@Victoria Victoria: ask the primary school children. They wouldn’t ask such a ridiculous question.
@Victoria Victoria: Because he is talking at a briefing.
What about the over 40s who are more at risk and more vulnerable than the under 40s
@Richarddoherty: get a PCR
@Richarddoherty: not necessarily.The over 70s are the more vulnerable and more at risk.
@Richarddoherty: Yes, the answer is get a PCR. Under 40s can’t just get a PCR like the over 40s can. Also the antigen test takes 2 to 3 days at minimum to arrive. Just in case you think under 40s get them quicker than over 40s might take to get a PCR.
@NotMyIreland: know people who where positive who took antigen test couldn’t get pcr test at all which means numbers are heigher than been reported
It should be made free to the elderly it’s a disgrace that elderly people should have to pay for Antigen tests
@Mick Dunne: They can get a free PCR test.
Make sure not the ones under investigation for false readings of false positive
Weird cause I just rang that line and it said only get them if a positive close contact from pcr .literally just off the phone
@Anita Ward: Use the website instead of calling them. We have 2022!
Positive antigen test since 30.12.21 logged on at 12.00 every night cannot get PCR, GP woun t onward refer for PCR…..self-employed and cannot get covid payment without text from HSE! Crazy!
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