Test count error after HSE glitch

COVID cases are being underreported due to an IT glitch in the HSE computer system.

As cases continue to spiral out of control, there are concerns that Ireland’s testing system is becoming overwhelmed.

The HSE has confirmed that recent connectivity issues have affected the HSE’S Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting system due to “the unprecedented number of cases being uploaded to it”.

It said in the meantime there is a difference between reported daily case numbers and daily positive lab results.

A plan is being put in place to fix the issue and the HSE is looking to have the system back to normal “as soon as possible”.

A HSE spokesperson said in a statement: “In the past week, there have been intermittent connectivity issues between the HSE regions and CIDR, the HSE’S national communicable disease surveillance IT system, arising from the unprecedented number of Covid-19 cases being uploaded. “We have begun implementing a plan to resolve this issue and aim to have the CIDR system operating at a normal level of performance as soon as possible.

“In the meantime there is a discrepancy between the reported COVID-19 daily case numbers and the daily number of positive laboratory results. “This issue has had no effect on contact tracing and contact management.”

On Friday, Professor Philip Nolan, above, said that given the high volume of tests each day there is a significant number of cases yet to be reported in official figures by the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre.