HSE’s booking system for PCR tests ‘operating normally’ after glitch

An issue that prevented people from being able to book a PCR test with the HSE this morning has been resolved.

The issue with the online system which people use to book Covid-19 tests at various testing centres around the country emerged on Thursday.

While the system showed that PCR test slots were available, some people reported being unable to book a slot due to an error code.

Others reported who managed to complete the booking reported not receiving a subsequent verification code through email or text, or said they had received the confirmation hours after booking their test.

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A spokeswoman for the HSE said the issue had been resolved and the system was now operating normally, the spokeswoman said.

“Those people who received verification that their appointment is booked, do not need to rebook, their appointment is confirmed.”

“We would ask those who didn’t receive a verification code to rebook an appointment.”

The HSE apologised for any inconvenience caused by the glitch.

The testing system has been under strain in recent weeks due to significant increase in the numbers of people coming forward for testing.

The HSE announced at the weekend that it was opening three additional test centres this week to help with the demand.

Official figures show that 29,363 tests had been carried out in the past 24 hours. Over the past week, some 219,628 tests had been completed, of which 14.1 per cent were positive.