Instant virus testing for everyone and mandatory quarantine is the only way to avoid a series of lockdowns over the next 18 months, a leading medic has claimed.
Dr Tomas Ryan of Trinity College said a draconian regime enforced by a full-time Minister for Testing is vital for normal life to return sooner rather than later.
He added a tough testing regime would mean legally enforceable quarantine for suspected victims while they await results.
At the same time the primary and secondary contacts of the suspected case would also have to be quarantined and tested.
Dr Ryan said: “It would mean these people would be very inconvenienced for a few days if they are negative and obviously longer if they are positive but normal life could continue for everyone else.”
Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk, he added: “This is an absolutely extraordinary situation and we need an extraordinary way of implementing it.”
Meanwhile, medical academics and specialists have helped broker a deal to bring in 19 testing machines and chemical reagents from China, which have the capacity to allow for a roll-out of a national rapid testing facility.
Infectious diseases consultant Dr Paddy Mallon said that with co-ordination from the HSE, the equipment and supplies can be working by early May to provide swab test results within 24 hours.
Dr Mallon of St Vincent’s Hospital told RTE’s Sean O’Rourke the machinery and chemicals come from a trusted supplier in China using the contacts of his colleague Dr Paul O’Brien, an expert on Chinese regulatory policy.
Dr Mallon said the equipment would mean someone who wakes up with symptoms on a Monday morning could be swabbed with results available within 24 hours.
Dr O’Brien added this deal means it will be possible to carry out 100,000 tests a week in Ireland.
On Sunday, the HSE’s Paul Reid said the backlog in Covid-19 testing has now been “eliminated”.
