No Covid-19 tests available to be booked today in Louth, as demand for testing increases nationwide

There are no Covid-19 tests available to be booked in Louth today, due to a significant increase in demand for testing in recent days.

According to the HSE’s Covid-19 test booking portal, there are no testing appointments available in Louth today, and that people requiring a test will need to book for tomorrow, September 15th, instead.

HSE Chief Executive, Paul Reid, said that yesterday had the highest demand for Covid-19 testing since the pandemic began.

“Over 23,000 community tests done and likely over 30,000 in total including hospitals & serial testing,” said Mr Reid on Twitter.

Today will be our highest daily volume for #COVID19 testing since this pandemic began. Over 23,000 community tests done & likely over 30,000 in total incl hospitals & serial testing. An extremely high rate and we have to monitor capacity over the coming days. @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) September 13, 2021

He added that the HSE will have to monitor the capacity over the coming days.

A spokesperson for HSE CH08 Midlands Louth Meath said that within their six testing centres offered a total of 3,346 appointments, with 3,071 appointments attended.

"Ardee Community testing centre offered 572 test appointments with 517 swab tests taken. This is an extremely high rate of referral and we endeavour to offer an appointment within 24 hours," said the spokesperson.

"Testing in Ardee is currently booked up for today please be advised that we monitor capacity and availability hourly and if at all possible make more appointment slots available.

"We regret any inconvenience caused, but as you can appreciate, we are dealing with unprecedented demand for Covid- 19 tests at the moment."

Currently, the only testing centre available in Louth is in Ardee at St Brigid’s Complex.

The spokesperson added that while demand is significant in Louth, people can visit other neighboring counties if they choose to travel.

It comes as the Department of Public Health North East reported 45 new Covid-19 cases in Louth as of midnight on September 12th.

COVID-19 new cases update in the North East region (as of midnight September 12, 2021):
Meath: 52
Louth: 45
Monaghan: 33
Cavan: 16

*This data is provisional and subject to change@HSELive @hpscireland pic.twitter.com/2fUgAdXcGn

— Department of Public Health North East (@PublicHealth_NE) September 14, 2021