GMIT staff started work on Monday as Contract Tracing volunteers in a newly established tracing centre to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Over 80 GMIT volunteers have been trained by HSE public health workers during the past two weeks in identifying those who have been in contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, and getting touch with them.
Dr Seamus Lennon, Acting Assistant Registrar, GMIT and HSE Co-ordinator, says they were “inundated” with offers from staff members who wanted to vounteer.
“We have worked hard to establish the centre as soon as possible,” Dr Lennon said, adding “This work will support the national effort in this time of crisis”.
The centre was established at GMIT’s Galway campus on the Dublin road in partnership with the HSE.
Work is also ongoing to operate another Contact Tracing Centre in the Mayo campus of GMIT in Castlebar, and GMIT has also donated laboratory consumables and equipment to a number of hospitals.
Brian Murphy, Assistant National Director, Strategic Planning, HSE, who is managing the establishment of the Contact Tracing Centres, praised the collaboration and work by GMIT management and personnel.
“ The leadership shown by all our colleagues in GMIT in making available and fitting out the infrastructure at their campus and mobilising their own colleagues to participate in the Contact Tracing Centre has been immense.
“There has been a lot of work carried out in an extremely short time with a great sense of purpose.
“The response has been phenomenal and the HSE is delighted with their fantastic support. GMIT’s input will help hugely to curtail the spread of Covid 19.”
