New test lab may be set up locally

A new coronavirus test laboratory could be set up in Tayside.

Nicola Sturgeon updated Holyrood on the government’s work to contain the virus yesterday, hours after it was confirmed the number of Scottish cases had doubled to six.

She revealed there are contingency plans to set up a new test laboratory in Tayside and signalled extra cash would be needed.

A war chest will be created to deliver a cash boost to strained services during the outbreak, she said.

The first minister told MSPs it was “almost inescapably the case” extra resources would be required to help frontline staff.

She suggested talks would be held with the UK Government on a coronavirus fighting fund.

She said: “Clearly, the Scottish Government budget is fully committed and we will require to have discussions with the UK Government ahead of, and no doubt after, the UK Budget next week, to make sure those decisions are taken in an appropriate way.”

At First Minister’s Questions in Holyrood, Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw asked about plans to increase the number of testing centres in Scotland.

The SNP leader responded: “We took early action to ensure that testing facilities were available in Edinburgh and Glasgow, there are plans in Tayside to have testing facilities there.

“I am satisfied at this stage that we have capacity to do that.”

She added it may reach a stage when not everyone is tested because if they have symptoms they will be assumed to have the virus.

Ms Sturgeon said hospital capacity is being assessed and confirmed contingency plans to ask former NHS staff to come back “if that is required”.

She added: “I can confirm to parliament that as of this morning we have six confirmed cases.”