PCR testing in Scotland has gone down for a second time this week with just a handful of walk-through sites offering on-the-day testing.
At lunchtime on Wednesday, only four out of the 56 walk-in testing sites in the country were available for booking a same-day appointment.
These were the Highland Council headquarters car park in Inverness, Mossfield Car Park in Oban, Langlee Community Centre in Galashiels, and Wick Highland Riverside in Caithness.
The rest currently do not have any PCR test appointments available until Thursday, and most of those are in the afternoon.
Of the eight drive-through sites in Scotland, none appeared to have available appointments until Thursday either.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf later announced that the lack of appointments was partly due to an "administrative error" which has now been resolved.
He tweeted: "An administrative error was made to UK Booking Portal for PCR tests that meant certain slots were not available in Scotland. We quickly liaised with UK Govt officials to highlight the error that had inadvertently been made, It has now been resolved.
"We're experiencing considerable pressure. We'll continue to look to increase capacity, however we're also facing workforce challenges given high infection rates. There are some testing slots available, more slots come online throughout day so plz do book a PCR if symptomatic."
We're experiencing considerable pressure. We'll continue to look to increase capacity, however we're also facing workforce challenges given high infection rates. There are some testing slots available, more slots come online throughout day so plz do book a PCR if symptomatic.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) December 29, 2021
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People trying to book a test at some of the centres received a message reading: “There are currently no slots available on this day. Try again this evening, when more test slots will be made available.”
Mobile units for most postcode areas in Scotland however are still operating on-the-day testing.
The lack of appointments comes as Scotland saw a record number of positive Covid-19 test results.
The festive period has seen cases climb to more than 8000 a day, with the most recorded since the start of the pandemic on Boxing Day – 11,030.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which covers most work handled by Track and Trace, and the Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
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