The surge in COVID-19 tests could lead to swabs expiring before they've been checked.
The new information was revealed at yesterday's update by the Department of Health, which revealed 219 new cases of coronavirus, with two further deaths.
Dr Tony Holohan told how discussions with the National Public Health Emergency Team today will include a plan to clear the backlog of 40,000 people waiting to be tested.
He said “tens of thousands” are looking to be tested every day and he cannot say if any that have not been processed have expired.
When asked if any completed swabs have expired while waiting to be processed, Dr Holohan said: “I can’t honestly say that hasn’t happened."
He said a more detailed briefing today will have more information regarding testing.
Health officials have said the waiting time for a test for Covid-19 is around five days but some doctors have claimed they can’t get tests for their patients for up to a week or more.
Dr Holohan added: “The important measure in terms of spread is that people self-isolate.
“If someone has symptoms they should self-isolate, if somebody has a GP recommending they get a test and that test isn’t happening as quickly as we would like or they would like, our recommendation is people should consider themselves to have this disease until they have the test that tells them otherwise, and self-isolate."
