It admits there's "considerable pressure" on the system.
The HSE is considering prioritising some patients for coronavirus testing.
The proposal comes amid thousands of people waiting to be tested, which the executive says it regrets.
It admits there's "considerable pressure" on the system including lab capacity and getting enough swabs.
Priority testing will be discussed at tomorrow's meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Currently the advice for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is to self-isolate, even if they haven't been tested yet.
