Workers at Children Hospital site to be tested weekly

BAM Ireland today confirmed the introduction of weekly Covid-19 testing for all workers at the New Children’s Hospital (NCH) site.

The move will see over 1,000 workers be tested every week in partnership with Irish company HealthWatch Screening.

The NCH has been designated an essential public project and construction has been allowed to continue during the latest level five restrictions.

Chief exeuctive officer of BAM Ireland Theo Cullinane said:“This is a timely initiative to further ensure the health, safety and well-being of everyone involved in the construction of the project.

“Covid is a huge challenge for society and for our industry, particularly when we are working adjacent to one of the most important hospitals in the country.

“While we had already invested heavily in excellent safety technology and protocols, BAM and our subcontractor partners believe proactive testing is appropriate for the current wave of disease we are experiencing.”

BAM Ireland says that all tests will be reviewed by an accredited laboratory with results being produced in about 12 hours.

Anyone testing positive is personally called and then organises an official HSE Covid-19 test via their GP.

Last week, BAM carried out staff training and a successful trial screening for Covid-19 of 336 personnel.

This detected six confirmed cases who had no symptoms and were immediately sent home to begin their quarantining.

The weekly serial testing of the full site, in excess of 1,000 personnel, began this week and will be undertaken for a minimum of six weeks, at which point the programme will be reviewed in light of prevailing conditions at the time.

BAM NCH Project Director Howard McDonagh said: “We know that the quicker cases are identified, the easier they can be contained, reducing any potential disruption to productivity and ensuring this crucial national project can continue to be successfully delivered in a safe environment.

“We have had no on-site transmission of Covid-19 since the pandemic began which is a testament to our diligent staff and the health and safety measures we have put in place.

“The implementation of the weekly serial programme has been very well received and everyone is fully behind it, as its importance to society is clear.”