NHS chiefs trigger huge thousands of victims as

Testing for the virus will be ramped up in the next few days along with efforts to enlist retired and newly- qualified medical staff to hospitals. The health ser vice was increasing preparations yesterday as Scotland continued to lock down after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Friday the closure of restaurants, cafes, pubs and gyms and urged people to avoid “unnecessary travel”. Further restrictions are expected as Scots are encouraged to stay home.

The initiatives emerged yesterday as the number of Scots who have tested positive for the virus rose by 51 cases to 373 and the number of deaths by one to seven. Plans include:

• A massive increase in testing, centred on more temporary “community testing hubs” being set up at hospitals around the country

• A major drive to bring in retired and trainee medical and nursing staff, along with some currently working in the private sector

• The allocation of more beds specifically for fighting the virus.

New testing facilities are in the process of being set up. NHS boards including Highland and Tayside have already created drive-through testing stations. Similar facilities in other health board areas are expected to fully open this week. Members of the public will need a referral from a medical source, such as the 111 helpline or GP, before being admitted and the facilities will not be for patients to turn up to be tested “on demand”.

A large tent was in the process of being fitted out yesterday at King’s Cross Hospital in Dundee to serve the city. Others will open in

Angus and Perth and sources suggested similar facilities will be opening across Scotland this week. Patients who give cause for concern will be checked further and could eventually be placed in sealed units to be assessed by medical staff.

An NHS source said: “These tents are part of community testing hubs which are being set up across Scotland. Further information is being released tomorrow to explain more to the public.

“The test facilities are expected to be open by the beginning of the week. Moves are continuing to get them ready. It’s a fast- moving situation but it will be a matter of days at most before they are functioning.

“They will be used to provide capacity for people who are told to go to get tested by 111 or similar means. The procedure will not just be for people to walk up and go in – people must have received advice to go and be tested. “People will be given an appointment, either via a GP or 111 or medical advice of some form. It is a drive-through testing facility so people will not require to get out of their cars.” NHS Scotland advice is if you have developed a cough or fever in the last week, stay at home for seven days from the day your symptoms started. If you are suffering from severe symptoms, or your symptoms haven’t improved within that timeframe, phone your GP or NHS 24 on 111.

Earlier this month, an early version of a testing tent, set up at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, was inundated with people turning up expecting to be tested on demand. The NHS source said: “They have to be turned away at that point if they have not been pre-screened.” Meanwhile, medical students and workers in the