Rapid COVID-19 testing will be available for people without symptoms in North Ayrshire over the next fortnight.
A temporary testing site is being set up at Unit 24, Bridgegate, Irvine, KA12 8BJ and will be open from 10am to 6pm every day from Thursday, March 25 to Wednesday April 7.
People who don't have any of the three main Covid symptoms – a new, continuous cough, high temperature and loss or change in taste or smell – are encouraged to attend.
There is no need to book but the site is only for people with no symptoms.
Local employers can also take advantage of the service by encouraging their staff, without symptoms, to get tested.
Health chiefs say this will help reduce the risk of outbreaks occurring in the workplace and minimise the effect this can have on employees’ health and continuity of the business. It is recommended that staff undertake testing twice a week.
People will be tested using lateral flow devices (LFD) which can give people their results in around 45 minutes.
Those attending for testing are encouraged to leave on completion of the test rather than wait for the results which will generally be reported via text message or email.
Any positive cases will then be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and those who receive a positive LFD or PCR test result will be asked to self-isolate.
Dedicated support is available to North Ayrshire residents who need to self-isolate, including access to food and financial support. People who need help should call (01294) 310000.
Further advice and information on what support is available for people who need to self-isolate is available from www.nhsinform.scot
The community testing initiative – which is in partnership with the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland, The Army and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – 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.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should book a test in the usual way via www.nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.
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