Almost 4,000 tested in first five days of 2022

Figures from the HSE have shown that more than 3,700 people received PCR tests for Covid-19 at the Tullamore testing centre in Clonminch during the first five days of the year.

In total, 3,751 tests were completed at the local centre between Saturday last (New Year's Day) and the close of business on Wednesday.

This represented an average of 750 tests completed in Tullamore each day. Tuesday of this week was the busiest day during the five-day period, as it saw 888 tests being carried out.

The positivity rate of those who were tested locally was unavailable but, as of Wednesday, the seven-day positivity rate nationally stood at 50.4%.

Demand for testing was extremely high across the country during the Christmas and New Year's period, with many people unable to book a test online and lengthy traffic tailbacks experienced by those travelling to their local centre at certain times.

Despite the level of demand, a significant number of people missed their appointments for a PCR test in Tullamore each day. A total of 505 appointments were missed there in the first five days of the year - an average of 101 missed appointments each day.

Earlier this week, the HSE made changes to the eligibility rules for PCR tests in an effort to ease the current pressure on the system. People under 40 who are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 are now being asked to self-isolate and to order antigen tests from the HSE.

They are being asked to only book a PCR test if they have a positive antigen test result. People aged 40 or over with symptoms of Covid-19 are being advised to self-isolate and book a PCR test directly.

The HSE's latest figures on vaccinations administered in Offaly covered the period up the end of 2021.

The statistics showed that between December 20 and December 26, some 2,865 vaccinations were given in Offaly. Between Monday, December 27, and Friday, December 31, a further 1,927 jabs were administered in the county.

An overall total of 76,127 vaccinations had been given in Offaly up to the end of 2021, according to the health service.