Thread by @gpportmarnock

#Covid19 cases 🤧 are on the rise and we have been getting a lot of questions about #covid19 which is totally understandable. We will try to answer a few of them in this thread #gp #portmarnock 1/n 👍

If you think you have #Covid19 (ANY of #cough, #breathlessness, #fever, lack of #smell or #taste) CALL YOUR GP 👩‍🦰🧑‍🦱 and we we can arrange a Covid swab for you if needed 2/n

If you are a close contact of a confirmed Covid 🦠 case you need to isolate for 14 DAYS from your contact with the person.

Public health will call you & arrange a test for you. GPs DO NOT arrange these #Covid19 tests as follow up swabbing, contact tracing etc may be needed 3/n

If your child was out of #creche/#Montessori or #school with a runny nose or sniffle then you can fill out a self-declaration form for them to return. GPs cannot provide letters for children to return to school/creche/Montessori (SEE HERE: hpsc.ie/a-z/respirator… 4/n

GPs can only arrange #Covid19 tests for symptomatic patients. We cannot arrange a test for people intending to travel, returning from travel or who have been asked by work to get a swab. You are free to source this privately yourself if desired 5/n

The @HSELive & the @hpscireland have produced guidance for us to follow and we cannot give patients letters to reduce or excuse their isolation periods or go against their advice 6/n

We certainly can provide you with notes ✍️ for work and @welfare_ie certificates to ensure you keep your job and your benefits when you are unwell with Covid or Covid-related illness, just call us to arrange this 7/n

Our phones 📞 have never been busier. We are doing our best to answer and return all calls and keep waiting times to a minimun. Thanks for your patience and support during this difficult period, we understand it is difficult for you all too. Thanks everyone 👍🙂 #portmarnock #GP