Drive through testing centres in Navan, Oldcastle

Testing for Covid-19 is being ramped up at several designated community testing centres across the county.

Drive through health centres are operating in Navan and Oldcastle with capacity to increase.

There is a testing centre at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan and a new drive through centre at Navan Rugby Club, as well as Oldcastle.

 The sampling service is being provided on an appointment-only basis and only those who are displaying symptoms and have been referred (to the drive through) by their GP will be seen.

 

Pat Bennett, Chief Officer, HSE Midlands, Louth and Meath said, “We would like to acknowledge the tremendous support that we have got from our local communities as we implement the government action plan in response to Covid19. 

“We can’t stop the virus, but together, we can reduce the impact it has on ourselves, our families, communities, our health service and our day-to-day lives. Our goal is to slow the spread of coronavirus. If we can slow it down, we give ourselves, and our most vulnerable people, more options and more time for care and recovery. Our collective efforts are critical, we need to do this together, as one community. We will be asking everyone to play their part, to help each other.”

At no stage will visitors to the centres leave their car. Once checked in at the entrance, visitors will be provided with a face mask, tissues and disposable bag and directed to a test bay attended by healthcare workers wearing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). At this point, visitors will be asked to blow their nose and dispose of the tissue in the bag provided. A throat and nose swab will then be taken and the visitor will leave the facility and return to self-isolation. The results will be available from their GP.

 The HSE has appealed for the privacy of those staffing and visiting the centres to be respected.