Rapid test blitz thanks to another UK success
A NEW testing blitz has today been announced amid a major push to drive down rates of the virus.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he will rollout mass, asymptomatic testing north of the Border within weeks.
It follows a Scottish Government announcement prior to Christmas confirming it was also launching a community testing scheme.
Currently, Scots can only get a test at one of the country’s network of drive-through or walk-in centres if they have one or more of the three main Covid symptoms.
Only a small group of key workers, such as health and social staff, are given weekly asymptomatic tests as they battle the disease on the frontline.
But today, the UK Government has promised to significantly boost ‘life-saving’ testing capacity across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
It is hoped the huge blitz – along with the three approved coronavirus vaccines and strict lockdown restrictions – will help keep the new super-strain of coronavirus under control.
Mr Hancock said: ‘I am able to announce that testing for those without symptoms will be available everywhere in England, and we are working closely with devolved administrations, so every corner of the UK can benefit from this lifesaving work.
‘Testing matters because it helps us all find who has the disease and so breaks the chains of transmission. This expansion comes at a critical time. We recently had to introduce difficult but vital restrictions to deal with a highly transmissible new variant of coronavirus.’
The UK Government is already running six drive-through testing centres in Scotland, including at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Prestwick Airports, the University of the Highlands and Islands, in Inverness, and Dudhope Castle, in Dundee.
Yesterday, ministers announced an additional UK Government facility opening at Langlee Community Centre in Galashiels. They have also provided 24 walk-through sites and 21 mobile units across Scotland. The Scottish Government also runs a number of testing sites, including 22 walk-in centres.
Both UK Government and Scottish Government sites currently only allow testing for those experiencing one or more of the three main coronavirus symptoms.
They include a continuous cough, a fever or high temperature above 37.8C and a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste.
The only exception is for asymptomatic healthcare staff working in the highest risk areas of oncology, elderly care and mental health wards, with stints over three months, who get a weekly test. Staff in care homes are also offered testing. Mr Hancock said rampedup UK Government support for community testing will benefit those unable to work from home and would help control the spread of the virus when restrictions are eventually eased.
He said: ‘Many key workers cannot work from home. People who keep vital services going are not able to. So even in lockdown, testing matters. We must use this lockdown to stop cases from rising by finding as many of those who have the disease, and insisting on total isolation.’
Last night, Holyrood Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the UK Government scheme would complement a similar initiative being planned by the Scottish Government. She said: ‘Local authorities and NHS boards have been working together to develop Community Testing bids which were submitted to the Scottish Government.
‘These are now being considered and we will make decisions as soon as possible. We continue to work with other governments in the UK to share learning and plan how we continue to respond to theCovid-19 pandemic.’
‘Testing helps breaks the chain of transmission’