According to a report the hse has suspended testing for covid 19 in Irish meat plants due to a lack of resources, though meat plants are believed to be a major problem area for the virus. Clusters of covid were reported in meat factories in December which resulted in increased surveillance and the lockdown of Kildare, Laois and Offaly. There has since been 1,500 cases of the virus confirmed. A spokesperson for hse midwest said the reason for the decision to defer tests was to open up resources in order to deal with patients’ symptoms.