Trinity does not notify individuals if there has been a positive case of coronavirus in the building which they live or work in, with people only receiving notification from the Health Service Executive (HSE) if they are identified as a close contact.
In the event of a positive case being confirmed, HSE contact tracers will notify individuals only in the event that they are identified as a close contact of the individual who has contracted the virus.
Catherine O’Mahony, a Trinity media relations officer, said, in an email statement to The University Times that while College does not notify individuals if a case is found in their building, “people who are identified as close contacts are informed by HSE contact tracers”.
Close contact testing only recommenced last week – following the suspension of that facility in December as the rapidly surging case numbers meant the HSE did not have the capacity to test everyone identified as a close contact.
At a daily HSE briefings last week, HSE CEO Paul Reid said that close contacting testing was going to recommence once daily case numbers dropped below 2,000.
Currently, if someone is identified as a close contact of a person infected with coronavirus they will receive a text message from the HSE and be instructed to self-isolate.
Earlier today it was reported that all Goldsmith Hall residents and support staff will receive a coronavirus test, after three positive cases of the virus were confirmed in the accommodation complex.
One case has also been confirmed on the main campus.
In a statement to The University Times, O’Mahony said that “close contacts of these cases have been contacted by HSE contact tracers and tested”, and that the tests would take place at the Aviva testing site.
“People need to follow all guidelines to minimise transmission of Covid-19”, she added.
“In addition to regular handwashing, cough etiquette, physical distancing and face coverings, it is critical that people from different apartments do not meet up socially and that no one enters an apartment where they are not residing.”
“Anyone who develops symptoms should self-isolate and contact College Health.”
