CMO warns testing centres are 'very busy' as demand rises for PCR tests

No appointments for PCR tests are available across Ireland in any county this afternoon. 

Although twenty six slots were briefly free after lunch-time today - with 25 in Tipperary and 1 in Dublin - they were quickly booked up. 

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan yesterday released a statement warning people that test centres are "very busy" at present. 

He re-iterated advice that anyone experiencing symptoms of the virus, however mild, should self-isolate and arrange a PCR test when available. 

He said, "Our test centres are very busy at the moment due to the high incidence of Covid-19 across the country; however, it is important that you continue to self-isolate until you receive the result of your PCR test and further information from the HSE." 

In the statement, he advised against gathering in crowded places including retail environments. 

He said, "It is important that all of us continue to reduce our contacts and avoid crowded places, to the greatest extent possible, as we see the Omicron variant become the dominant variant of COVID-19 in Ireland.

"We know that this variant is more transmissible than even the highly transmissible Delta variant. As such, please do not socialise or meet indoors with people from other households."