More than 5,000 people in Johnstone got themselves checked out for Covid-19 at the town's asymptomatic testing centre, it has been revealed.
Renfrewshire Council piloted the country's first lateral flow test in a fixed location at Johnstone Town Hall between December 2 and 9 in a bid to find out more about residents and workers who were carrying coronavirus unknowingly.
The quick and simple swab test - which returns results in about 45 minutes - was open to anyone who worked, lived or went to school in Johnstone and around 40 per cent of the target population stepped forward to take part.
The findings will be considered at a national level to inform further roll-out of testing and use of lateral flow tests in the new year.
Data is being verified by Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government and will be published in full on Wednesday, December 16.
Councillor Andy Steel, who represents Johnstone South, said the process would help to strengthen our understanding of how the virus is spreading.
He said: "I think 5,000-plus people over eight days is an incredible uptake.
"This was a well-organised and well-run process and I think that really helped to reassure people in the town.
"The data will go a long way in helping us to understand more about how this virus is transmitting within communities and, in the end, it will hopefully help us to move out of restrictions."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was pleased with the uptake during her daily briefing on Friday, as she thanked all those who had chosen to participate.
The centre ran for 12 hours each day during the pilot and involved more than 100 staff from the council and its partners.
Anyone who returned a positive result was asked to complete a follow-up PCR test to confirm the result, before being provided with support to complete their self-isolation period.
Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, chair of the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board, added: “I’m so proud of the people of Johnstone for taking part in this pilot as we look to learn more about the virus, how to combat it and stop its transmission.
“The selflessness of local people will help inform the future decisions made by the UK and Scottish Government, so we really have played our part in the coronavirus response.
“Thank you to all that took a test over the past eight days and also to the fantastic staff who ran the testing centre safely and efficiently.”
