40,000 Waiting For Tests

Number of centres increases to 35 as Covid-19 battle rages Warning after hordes of people head to seaside and parks

- Liz Farsaci

More than 40,000 people are waiting for coronavirus tests as the number of centres across the country reached 35.

The news emerged as the head of the HSE insisted this week will be “very significant” in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.

The HSE and Department of Health said yesterday no new restrictions will be put in place at this time, but experts pleaded with the public to continue social distancing in a bid to save lives.

Yesterday hordes of people headed to the seaside and national parks and were even seen queuing tightly together for takeaways.

It came as figures showed four people have died and 906 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Ireland.

Frustrated gardai had to warn people to stay away from beauty spots such as Dublin’s Howth, Glendalough, Co Wicklow, and Bettystown beach in Co Meath telling them: “This is not a holiday”.

Joe Keane, who lives in Dublin, said yesterday: “Went into the Phoenix Park for a run a few minutes ago.

“Turned around and went home because it’s absolutely packed with people. Very few respecting social distancing rules.”

And a car park in Glendalough was forced to close yesterday after members of the public flocked there in their droves.

Current advice from the HSE asks people to keep a minimum of two metres away from anyone else, reduce interactions with people outside your home as well, cut down on the number of people you meet every day and avoid crowded places.

The call for people to follow guidelines comes as Dr Sarah Doyle, a specialist in public health medicine, revealed the high number of people waiting for tests with only those with symptoms currently being checked.