Drive-thru test centres to help cope with influx
meeting came as the number of cases in the UK rose to 39 with four new cases confirmed in Hertfordshire, Devon and Kent, including an NHS office worker.
They had all recently travelled to Italy, which is experiencing the biggest outbreak in Europe.
In Scotland, 815 people have been tested for the infection, with just the one confirmed case so far.
Globally, 86,000 people have been infected, with 3000 deaths, mostly in China.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the world is
A DRIVE-THROUGH testing facility has been introduced as measures are stepped up against the coronavirus. Following the case in Tayside, health boards are re-examining testing to help allay public fears. In NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian, patients with mild symptoms can drive themselves to a contained area of a hospital car park for testing, enabling them to avoid public transport or enter A&E. The facility at the Western General in Edinburgh is cordoned off from the other car parking and is strictly by appointment, so patients should contact their own GP in the first instance. Other health boards are implementing testing in contained areas at health centres and community testing in the home.
It follows the introduction of specialised coronavirus screening in “uncharted territory” as the coronavirus outbreak continues to gather pace.
He said the virus is “unique” but could be contained with the right measures.
Government ministers from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales all agreed an laboratories in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The Brownlee Centre for Infectious Diseases, at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, is one of the sites for testing in the city but the service is likely to be expanded and some patients fear that going to hospitals could result in them being contaminated.
One concerned patient said: “I have found out that tests have to be carried out at the West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital (formerly Yorkhill) from this week for suspected coronavirus.
“The tests have to be carried out next to the outpatients’ department, which I find idiotic.
“Patients attending for an outpatient’s appointment are probably unaware of what they could be walking into.”
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde said there were proposals to carry out testing at West Glasgow.
But Dr Jennifer Armstrong, the health board’s medical director, said: “All testing is separate to clinical care. We have trained staff to carry out these tests.”
Chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood said: “Methods of testing will be different depending on factors like population and geography.
“Scotland is well-prepared to deal with coronavirus.”
Anyone concerned they may have coronavirus should call NHS 111 for advice. action plan to guide the response to the virus.
Legislation allowing the Government to use extra powers to help control the virus is expected to go through Parliament by the end of March.
They could include asking retired doctors and nurses to return to the NHS, urging people to work from home, closing schools, increasing class sizes and cancelling public events.
A Government source said it could be “months rather than weeks” before the outbreak peaks in the UK.
But they added: “We don’t want to have to take decisions before we have to. As much as possible, we want people to carry on with their daily lives.”
The UK Budget will go ahead as planned on March 11, despite the impact of the outbreak on the economy, No10 said.
British Airways said it had cancelled hundreds of upcoming flights this month. Ryanair has also reduced flights on some routes, particularly to Italy.