New year plan to expand community Covid testing

PILOT mass testing schemes in coronavirus hotspots across Scotland will inform plans to carry out asymptomatic checks “much more routinely” in the new year, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The first minister said asymptomatic testing is being offered in communities where the levels of Covid-19 “continue to be of concern and are higher than the national average”.

The scheme is being piloted in five locations in west and central Scotland and is operating for between three and 13 days, depending on the site.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The lessons that we learn from these trials will then inform our plans to expand community testing much more extensively and much more routinely early in the new year.”

Speaking after confirming Scotland recorded three deaths of coronavirus patients and 369 positive cases in the past 24 hours, the first minister said: “We do hope that identifying more people who are positive will help us ensure that they are not spreading the virus and that’s why we are currently focusing these trials – these pilot programmes – on areas with high prevalence.

“So if you live in one of these areas, I would encourage you to come forward for testing.

“You give yourself the chance of finding out if you have the virus if you don’t yet have symptoms but you’re also helping that collective effort to try to break the chains of transmission.”

Ms Sturgeon also announced an expansion in eligibility for the Scottish Government’s £500 self-isolation support grant from next week.

Under the current rules, employed people on benefits who have been asked to self-isolate can claim the money if they lose income as a result.

The first minister said from Monday December 7 eligible parents unable to work because a child has to isolate will also qualify.

The expanded criteria will also include those who local authorities believe would qualify for Universal Credit if they applied.

Ms Sturgeon said: “We don’t want anyone to feel that they’re having to choose between self-isolating and feeding themselves and their family.”

Nicola Sturgeon