THE First Minister has explained how Scotland’s coronavirus testing is changing following a “major spike in demand” at the weekend.
Nicola Sturgeon said that testing centres in Scotland and across the rest of the UK saw an increase in the number of people seeking a Covid-19 test in recent days.
After reports that some people in Scotland were being advised to travel to Northern Ireland and England for a test by the test booking site, Sturgeon explained that the increased demand had led to “constraints” and some technical issues.
On the issue of people being told to travel out of Scotland for testing, Sturgeon said: “That shouldn’t be happening.”
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The First Minister said these issues would be resolved as quickly as possible, but added the Scottish Government had anticipated fluctuations in demand and would be addressing this.
Sturgeon said three additional mobile testing units will be deployed across the Central Belt, with the first being rolled out in Glasgow today. These will increase capacity between 1200 and 1500 every day, the First Minister explained.
Scotland is also increasing the number of tests which can be carried out at regional testing centres, while the NHS will help boost capacity with some drive-in testing centres
The First Minister added that 11 local walk-through testing centres will be set up, with the first at the Victory Memorial Hall in St Andrews.
Sturgeon stressed that people should only seek a test if they experience one or more coronavirus symptoms – that’s a loss of sense of smell or taste, a fever or a persistent cough.
There are exceptions to this – if Test and Protect contacts you and advises you to be tested for Covid-19, or if you work in a profession with different rules.
The First Minister’s announcement came as 44 new coronavirus cases were identified over the last 24 hours.
There were no further deaths of people who have received a positive Covid-19 test in the last 28 days.
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