''Every single person that's waiting for test or result they're away from the front line''.
Health care workers should have tests for coronavirus prioritised in order to maintain staffing levels on the frontline, says trade union Siptu.
The union is concerned at the numbers of staff who are waiting to be tested or for results.
They say both those working in facilities like hospitals and community workers should have the tests available as a priority.
Hundreds of essential workers have already tested positive and are consequently not available for work.
Paul Bell from the SIPTU believes the situation should not be allowed to continue.
''Every single person that's waiting for a test or result they're away from the front line'', he said.
''We cannot have that situation continue, we believe it's time for a focus on health workers.
''That this is an issue that needs consideration from the department of health.''
