A pilot process to help evaluate the use of rapid antigen diagnostic tests (RADT) in identifying COVID-19 in the further and higher education sector and the early years sector is to begin this month
The HSE, working with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are undertaking this pilot process to learn more about how RADTs might be used more widely in third-level and childcare settings.
Staff and students in five further and higher education sites in Dublin, Cavan, Mayo and Galway will take part, and staff in early learning and childcare facilities across the East, Northeast and West will be invited to participate.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris said: “I am really pleased further education settings will form part of the HSE pilot on rapid testing. We have so much to learn about rapid testing, how effective the tests can be and whether they should be used on a larger scale.We have a pilot underway in four higher education settings already and today’s announcement will see the HSE pilot commence in five further education settings.”
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said: “I’m pleased to see further sectors of our society engage in the Antigen testing process. We’ve already had successful use of these tests in healthcare settings and in agriculture and food production.”