Covid 19

COVID-19 Information

POSSIBLE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS: If you are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms – runny/blocked nose, sore throat, sinus congestion/pressure, fever, ‘aches/pains’, cough, fatigue, headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing problems, change to taste/smell, etc. – firstly, you must immediately SELF-ISOLATE and then self-refer for a HSE PCR test via this link: https://covid19test.healthservice.ie/hse-self-referral/

If you have symptoms, Antigen testing is not a sufficient or accepted method to try to confirm or rule out the presence of COVID-19 infection – YOU MUST GET A HSE PCR TEST! For simple advice on how to manage your symptoms, please visit: https://www2.hse.ie/under-the-weather/

If you are feeling significantly unwell, the please complete the following form and we will arrange an appointment with one of our clinical staff to assess your symptoms. Please be patient with us, as we are currently experiencing a large volume of COVID-19 related queries. Appointment Request Form

CLOSE CONTACT WITH A POSITIVE CASE, BUT NO SYMPTOMS: If you have been in contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 and you don’t currently have any of the symptoms mentioned in the first paragraph above, the please read the information and advice provided via this page: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/contact-tracing/close-contact/

CLOSE CONTACT WITH A POSITIVE CASE & HAVE POSSIBLE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS: If you have been in contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 and you are currently experiencing possible symptoms – runny/blocked nose, sore throat, sinus congestion/pressure, fever, ‘aches/pains’, cough, fatigue, headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing problems, change to taste/smell, etc. – firstly, you must immediately SELF-ISOLATE and then self-refer for a HSE PCR test via this link: https://covid19test.healthservice.ie/hse-self-referral/

LOCATION OF ON CAMPUS HSE TEST CENTRE: There is a HSE PCR test centre currently based on campus. It operates solely by appointment-only – they do not accept walk-ins. Appointments can be booked either by SELF-REFERRAL or by referral from a GP. The test centre is located at 9 Distillery Road, Newcastle, Galway, H91 TF1P.

COVID-19 VACCINATION: COVID-19 vaccines are being provided FREE of charge by the HSE. If you have not yet received vaccination against COVID-19, then we strongly urge you to do so, in order to protect yourself, your family/friends and the wider community. To register to receive your COVID-19 vaccination, please visit: https://vaccine.hse.ie/

WHEN WOULD I BE CONSIDERED ‘FULLY VACCINATED’?: Following receipt of COVID-19 vaccination, you would be considered to be ‘fully vaccinated’ –

· 7 days after your second Pfizer/BioNTech dose - also known as ‘Comirnaty’

· 15 days after your second AstraZeneca dose - this vaccine may be called ‘Vaxzevria’ or ‘Covishield’

· 14 days after your second Moderna dose - also known as ‘Spikevax’

· 14 days after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine ‘Janssen’ - this is a single dose vaccine

ANTIGEN TESTING & UNICOV RESEARCH PROJECT: At present, Antigen testing is not regarded as an acceptable method to test for the presence of COVID-19 infection if you currently have any possible COVID-19 symptoms. In such cases, you must always get a HSE PCR test. A negative antigen test is not adequate to rule out COVID-19 infection.

Antigen tests do have benefit when used for screening/surveillance purposes in people who don’t have any symptoms and who are looking for additional reassurance to know that they don’t have an asymptomatic infection. There is currently an ongoing research project open to all staff and students of NUI Galway, where participants can avail of FREE twice weekly rapid Antigen testing & saliva PCR testing. To learn more about this project and how to get involved, please visit: https://unicov.

TRAVELLING OUTSIDE IRELAND: If you are due to travel abroad from Ireland to another international destination and you require a pre-travel COVID-19 PCR test, then you will need to arrange to have this done privately yourself. Results from HSE PCR tests are not accepted for the purposes of international travel from Ireland. Please see Covid Travel Advice for current goverment guidelines.

Private COVID-19 testing for travel out of Ireland is done privately at your own cost via any of the following clinics:

Randox.ie – www.randox.ie  in the Clayton Hotel

Tropical Medical Bureau at www.tmb.ie 

Galway GP Primary care www.gpcare.ie   

Complete Laboratory Solutions CLS https://cls.ie/