SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES COVID-19 TESTING EXPANSION

The Scottish Government have announced that everyone over the age of five with Coronavirus symptoms is now eligible to be tested. This extension is as part of a UK-wide expansion of testing.

Colin Beattie MSP commented:

‘I am pleased that testing has now been expanded so that everyone over the age of 5 now has access to a test if they are displaying symptoms of Covid-19. There are now provisions in place so that people can book a test at a drive-through or mobile test centres. In a limited number of cases there is also the option of a home test kit.’

‘This testing is available for anyone who is displaying the three symptoms of Covid-19 – that is a continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of taste or smell.’

‘Expansion of testing will allow us to quickly identify if those with symptoms actually have Covid-19 and whether they need to be isolating or not. This will allow us to move towards accurate tracing, and lowering transmission within communities, which will be crucial when we begin to ease out of lockdown. This will also bring much needed reassurance to those who are anxious about whether they have the virus or not and this will help to ensure they get the right treatment.’

‘There are now more stringent policies in place to protect those in our care homes across Scotland. These policies include testing all staff and residents in care homes which have an active case, and in homes with no active cases all staff will be tested every 7 days. If a patient has been in hospital with Covid-19 then they need to have two negative tests before they are discharged, and those with non-Coronavirus hospital admissions need to test negative 24 hours prior to returning to the care home. ‘

‘If you need to get a coronavirus test you can do it online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus'