The HSE has defended putting the Covid-19 testing of meat plant workers on hold after getting a surge of people referred for virus checks from GPs. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue had said on radio that meat plant surveillance was “ongoing” on the very day that tests in the factories were abruptly cancelled. But Tánaiste Leo Varadkar explained that the abrupt halt at meat plants was a temporary measure to address a surge in tests being sought by members of the general population. The national test capacity was 15,000, meaning the meat plant tests could not go ahead, he said, But testing in meat plants was due to resume next week, he added. But Mr Doherty said the highest rate of tests, 70,000 a week, had been achieved last week – whereas there was a claimed capacity of 100,000 tests a week.

Source: Irish Independent September 10, 2020 12:06 UTC