#Covid19 cases https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤧" title="Niesendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Niesendes Gesicht"> 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 https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍" title="Thumbs up" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up">

If you think you have #Covid19 (ANY of #cough, #breathlessness, #fever, lack of #smell or #taste) CALL YOUR GP https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👩‍🦰" title="Woman, red haired" aria-label="Emoji: Woman, red haired">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧑‍🦱" title="Person, curly haired" aria-label="Emoji: Person, curly haired"> and we we can arrange a Covid swab for you if needed 2/n

If you are a close contact of a confirmed Covid https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦠" title="Microbe" aria-label="Emoji: Microbe"> 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: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/childcareguidance/Return%20to%20Educational%20Facility%20declaration%20form.pdf">https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respi... 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 https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✍️" title="Schreibende Hand" aria-label="Emoji: Schreibende Hand"> 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 https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📞" title="Telefonhörer" aria-label="Emoji: Telefonhörer"> 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 https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍" title="Thumbs up" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙂" title="Leicht lächelndes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Leicht lächelndes Gesicht"> #portmarnock #GP