Covid tests
Strath residents have been reminded that testing for people who do not have visible Covid-19 symptoms is available in Auchterarder.
The town’s fire station is one of several venues across the region being visited by mobile testing vans distributing self-administered PCR swab tests on a weekly basis.
The visits take place from 10am until 4pm on Fridays and will do so for an indefinite period.
NHS Tayside has said anyone not showing signs of any of the three coronavirus symptoms –a new continuous cough, a high temperature and loss or change in sense of taste or smell – are encouraged to get tested at the sites.
A spokesperson for the region’s health board stressed anyone with symptoms should book a test using the website www.nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.
She continued: “The mobile testing units are safe and secure, with strict hygiene measures in place.
“Staff on site will support people through the testing process which involves self-administering a swab test.
“Full instructions will be provided. Testing is quick and easy with results communicated to people by text message 24 to 48 hours after the test.”
The community testing initiative – which is being carried out in partnership with the Scottish Government, NHS Tayside, Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross councils, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the British Red Cross – aims to “drive down local Covid-19 rates and transmission by identifying positive cases more quickly”, according to the health board representative.
Anyone who receives a positive PCR test result will be asked to selfisolate.
Dr Emma Fletcher is NHS Tayside’s director of public health.
She explained: “Not everyone who has the virus will have symptoms, so people could be spreading the disease without knowing it.
“Around one in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms but could potentially be passing the virus on to loved ones, friends and the wider community.
“By getting tested at one of the local units, you can find out if you have Covid- 19 even if you have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus.
“If we can find and isolate more positive cases, we can drive down the incidence of the virus in the community and get us closer to being able to return to doing the things we have all missed.
“There is help available to support you to self-isolate if you need it, so please come along and get tested.”
The health board spokesperson said people can use any of the sites across the region.
Support is available to anyone who needs to self-isolate, including food packages and financial advice.
Further advice is available via nhsinform. scot or www. taysidecares.co.uk.
More information on the testing programme is available via www. covidtayside.scot.nhs.uk.