THERE is no Covid-19 testing centre in the Kenmare Electoral Area despite the fact that it has the highest incidence rate of the virus in the whole of Munster, a Kerry councillor has complained.
The large geographical section of Kerry stretches from Kilgarvan to Killorglin and includes all of the Iveragh Peninsula yet there isn’t a single test base within its boundaries, Cllr Michael Cahill has pointed out.
“I have been making this point strongly for some time now and I don’t appear to be getting any hearing. Accessibility to testing is vital if we are to trace and eliminate this deadly virus,” he said.
Cllr Cahill pointed out that in just one week the incidence rate in the Kenmare area increased from 80 to 439 per 100,000 population. The area included Killorglin where positive Covid-19 tests were confirmed in a number of local schools.
“We need to be proactive in dealing with this pandemic and bring testing into the community. We need to provide testing centres in all our towns to allow access for people in more remote areas,” Cllr Cahill insisted.
“When we know where the infection is, we will be able to then provide the vaccine to these people and we can wipe out this deadly virus for once and for all,” he added.
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