Blackpool Covid test centre finally closes after 19 months

290,000 swabs later.

Yesterday was a milestone day as the Lee Covid test centre finally closed its doors for good.

The centre was first opened in the height of the pandemic back in September 2020, providing PCR swabs for the people of Cork for nineteen long months. It’s estimated that the centre performed around 290,675 swabs before shutting up shop for good yesterday.

Gabrielle O’Keeffe, head of Health and Wellbeing with Cork Community Healthcare praised staff at the centre for their hard work over the last two years, mentioning:

“Most people in Cork have attended this centre at some stage in the last 19 months, and they are aware of how staff there have carried out their work in the most professional and caring way.”

Image via Gerard McCarthy

At present, there remains only one Covid testing centre in Cork city located on South Douglas Road, with appointments available 7 days a week via the self-referral portal on HSE.ie or GP referral.

A spokesperson for the HSE said they expect all testing centres will close later this year, once the public health advice changes for population testing, also adding: “PCR testing will remain available for those who need it to access therapeutic treatments, or as part of their clinical treatment.”

Staff at the Lee Covid Test Centre have also been invited to apple for other suitable positions within the Cork/Kerry Community Healthcare Service.

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