Updated: 14:32, 11 May 2021
PROFESSOR Philip Nolan’s “snake oil” comment about antigen tests was not helpful , Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has claimed.
The Fianna Fail minister believes underfire antigen tests will have an important role in Ireland throughout 2021 and 2022 as we exit the pandemic.
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Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly believes antigen tests will have an important role in Ireland throughout 2021 and 2022Credit: PA:Press Association
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Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group referred to antigen tests as snakeoil following a Lidl advertCredit: PA:Press Association
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Rapid antigen test kits can return a Coid-19 result in as little as 15 minutes but are not as accurate as PCR testsCredit: Alamy
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Health Minister says Professor Philip Nolan s tweet comparing antigen tests to snake oil was not helpful
Stephen Donnelly said antigen testing is a part of Government policy when it comes to reopening society. By Christina Finn Tuesday 11 May 2021, 3:25 PM May 11th 2021, 3:25 PM 18,968 Views 26 Comments
An expert group recommended that consideration be given to roll out the tests to employers, community groups, schools, colleges, sporting organisations and the public.
An expert group recommended that consideration be given to roll out the tests to employers, community groups, schools, colleges, sporting organisations and the public.
THE HEALTH MINISTER has said a tweet sent by NPHET’s modelling expert Professor Philip Nolan comparing antigen tests to snake oil was an unhelpful comment.
The Government supports the wider use of antigen tests as the country reopens from the Covid-19 lockdown but the public needs to be aware of their limitations, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said.
The Government would shortly be issuing new guidelines to businesses to encourage wider use of antigen testing as âan additional health and safety measureâ, he said, and pilot programmes would also be set up in schools and colleges.
However, he said such tests could give âa sense of false reassuranceâ and they were no substitute for respecting the public health advice.
While he said he would like to see greater use of such tests, he advocated a policy of âbelt and braces and keep the trousers onâ.
NPHET s Professor Philip Nolan faces political backlash over reaction to Lidl ad for antigen tests
Prof Nolan had slammed the ad that promoted the sale of the antigen tests along with food for a barbeque
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The Chief Medical Officer has said people should not use shop-bought COVID testing kits.
It comes after the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) last week warned people that tests being
Today, Dr Tony Holohan said the public should avoid tests sold in shops altogether. A Boson Biotech Covid-19 antigen test pictured outside Lidl Drumcondra, 07-05-2021. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews
Speaking to
Newstalk, Dr Holohan said: “So, our clear advice and the advice of the HSE is that the antigen tests that you can buy in shops and chemists and so on to administer to yourself at home; you shouldn’t use them.