Covid-19 testing criteria likely to be relaxed next week
The Chief Medical Officer says the criteria for testing of Covid-19 will likely be relaxed next week.
It comes as the numbers presenting at test centres has fallen significantly in recent days.
Only those with underlying conditions and who are displaying symptoms are currently eligible for a test.
The death toll from the virus has risen by 38 to 444, while the number of confirmed cases now stands at 12,547.
WLR News understands that no Covid-19 related deaths have occurred in Waterford city or county.
There's 90 confirmed cases in Waterford, as of midnight on Monday.
Dr Tony Holohan says if there is to be any easing of restrictions, it is important the case definition is expanded so more people are tested.
He said if the Government is to consider changing any restrictions before May 5th "we will want to have that more sensitive case definition in operation for a period of time, so we’re able to see what the impact of that is.
"So we’ll build our testing and contact tracing and sampling capacity and to have some experience of that before we get to the 5th of May."
