People living in Gallowhill are being urged to find out if they have Covid-19 after a spike of cases in the area.
A mobile testing unit for people without symptoms of the virus is being set up in the Paisley neighbourhood on Thursday.
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The testing unit will be split over two sites, both on the north end of Montgomery Road.
The teams will be there for a week and the aim is to slow the spread of the virus in the area – which has seen high rates of Covid-19 transmission recently.
There will be a drive-through site in the car park of the Gallowhill Court high flats and a walk-through site in the car park of Martyrs’ Sandyford Church.
These will be open to any resident of Gallowhill to find out if they have the virus.
They are only for those who are asymptomatic – anyone with symptoms should go to an NHS-run centre.
This follows a successful pilot last year that saw more than 5,000 residents of Johnstone turn out over a week to find out if they were carrying the virus.
Staff will use PCR tests – which are the most accurate covid test and require to be sent away to a lab, with results arriving via text message or email.
Any Gallowhill resident who wishes to be tested is being asked to book an appointment online.
Testing will be run by the Scottish Ambulance Service and will be open each day from 9.30am to 6pm.
Councillor Jim Paterson, Renfrewshire Council’s deputy leader and local ward member, said: “Gallowhill has had stubbornly-high rates of Covid19 in recent weeks and we want to bring that down and slow the spread of the virus.
“It is a tight-knit community and I would appeal to residents to get a test and help protect themselves, their loved ones and their neighbours.
“We know people can have and spread the virus without knowing they have it – so this is a chance for Gallowhill residents to find out if they are among them.”
Anyone who tests positive will be required to self-isolate along with the rest of their household for ten days.
Financial support is available and people may be eligible for a Self-Isolation Support Grant, which they can apply for through the council.
More information and instructions on how to book a test is at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-testing-gallowhill
