No symptoms? No problem..take a test!
Testing for coronavirus has begun in North Lanarkshire for people without symptoms.
The community testing initiative, in partnership with the Scottish Government, NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council aims to drive down local Covid-19 rates and transmission by identifying positive cases more quickly, as people can spread the virus to others before symptoms appear.
North Lanarkshire residents who don’t have any of the three Covid symptoms (a new continuous cough, temperature, loss or change in sense of taste or smell) are encouraged to get tested.
Testing is available at Airdrie Leisure Centre from 9.30am to 5.30pm. There is no need to book.
This site is only for people without symptoms. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should book a test in the usual way via nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.
Gabe Docherty, NHS
Lanarkshire director of public health, said: “Covid-19 can be spread by people who don’t have symptoms or the symptoms are so mild people may not recognise that they have the infection.
“For the benefit of yourself and your community, I would encourage people who do not have Covid-19 symptoms to get a test at one of the asymptomatic testing centres. The test results will help to detect the virus and limit its spread.
“If your test result is positive, the centres will give advice about support for isolation.
“If your result is negative, it is important that you continue to follow the current guidance including physical distancing, using face coverings and handwashing to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.”
Residents will be tested using lateral flow devices, which can give people their results in around 45 minutes. Any positive cases will then be confirmed by PCR test.
Anyone who receives a positive LFD or PCR test result will be asked to self-isolate.
Dedicated support is available to anyone who needs to selfisolate, including financial and food support. Contact North Lanarkshire Council’s Community Assistance Helpline on 0300 555 0407, which is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Robert Steenson, executive director for enterprise and communities at NLC said: “Many people in our towns and communities across North Lanarkshire will be infectious with Covid-19 but won’t have any of the known symptoms.
“This means that they may be unwittingly spreading the virus while they are moving about in public.
“By getting tested at our testing facility, it’s an opportunity to identify and support people who may be positive so they can isolate and help to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
“Most people have been doing really well to keep to the restrictions but it’s important that we all do as much as possible to limit the risk of spreading the virus and getting tested, provides that opportunity to help keep people in North Lanarkshire safe.”
Further advice and information on what support is available for people who need to self-isolate is available from nhsinform.scot/northlanarkshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.