Surge In Demand For Testing Since Schools Reopened.

Saturday, 4 September 2021 11:30

By Ross Lindsay

631 schools have had close contacts tested since classes resumed

The HSE is reporting a surge in demand for contact tracing and mass testing in schools since reopening.

More than 185 schools required the services on days over the past week, compared to 45 schools per day last May.

A total of 631 schools have close contacts being tested since classes resumed in recent days.

Head of the HSE's test and trace programme, Niamh O'Beirne, says the high demand reflects the levels of covid currently in the community, rather than evidence of spread in schools.

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