Kostal factory closed
GERMAN automotive component manufacturer Kostal has temporarily closed its Mallow and Abbeyfeale plants, which between them employ more than 1,000 people, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Mallow plant ceased operations from 8am on Wednesday and will remain closed until April 27 at the earliest.
WHILE the HSE had earlier this week said there were no plans to open any additional COVID-19 test centres in Cork, it has emerged one is set to open at the Cork Racecourse in Mallow today.
As of going to press on Wednesday there were three tests centres in Cork located at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Mallow and Dunmanway, with an additional centre located in Kerry.
The HSE had said there were no plans in the pipeline to set up any other test centres, instead the focus would be on expanding its existing facilities in order to cater for expected demand overt the coming days and weeks.
A HSE spokesperson told The Corkman that while the exact locations of the centres may change over the coming days, there were no immediate plans to increase their number.
They said there had been an “unprecedented” level of demand for tests over recent days and the authority was ramping up efforts in order to reach a target of 2,000 tests per day at its existing centres.
So far more than 70 HSE staff have been given training to make this possible, with a further 200 staff from the National Ambulance Service (NAS) having also been trained in the testing procedures.
“As part of our efforts to rapidly increase the number of tests being carried out in this region, our focus in recent days has been to rapidly expand the capacity of the testing locations across Cork and Kerry,” said the spokesperson.
However, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) chairman Nicky Hartery confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that preparations had gotten underway ahead of the planned opening of a test centre at the Cork Racecourse today
It is understood the centre is being opened in response to the unprecedented level of demand for tests in Cork.
“All staff involved are working tirelessly every day to manage this demand and to prepare for increased demand in the future. We are working hard to reach a point where we will be carrying out up to 2,000 tests a day across Cork and Kerry,” said the HSE spokesperson.
“Our staff have put an incredible effort into getting this community testing up and running in a very short space of time and we wish to thank them for their efforts,” they pledged.
In the meantime, the HSE has urged anyone either waiting on a swab or on test results continue to self-isolate and have non contact with anyone outside their homes.
“We need to stress again that those coming for testing must have a GP referral and an appointment and arrive at their appointment on time.”
Meanwhile, people will now have to meet revised criteria for a COVID-19 test after Ireland adopted the World Health Organisation ( WHO) case definition. Patients must now display two key symptoms, a fever and a respiratory condition such as a cough of shortness of breath, to fall within a defined priority group in order to be referred for testing
These priority groups include healthcare workers, the vulnerable and those who have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.