An Ayrshire Covid testing unit for people who are asymptomatic has closed after staff were redeployed elsewhere
The testing centre in Maybole Town Hall – the only centre available for residents in South Ayrshire – will close for a week.
Those who require a test for coronavirus and are not displaying any symptoms will instead have to visit sites in North and East Ayrshire.
Asymptomatic testing sites (ATS) are available at the Bridgegate, Irvine, The Boswell Centre in Auchinleck and Rose Reilly Sports Centre, Stewarton.
Testing kits are also available from participating community pharmacies and online.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran confirmed the urgent update this morning.
A health board statement read: "Staff from the ATS sites have been redeployed to alternative testing sites across Ayrshire and Arran in response to the local demand as required.
"Ayrshire residents can attend any of the other sites; pick up a test from participating community pharmacies; or request one to be delivered to their home."
It comes after Ayrshire Live revealed that more than 50 NHS Ayrshire & Arran staff are self-isolating.
Six staff have tested positive whilst 45 are isolating at home.
Council workers have also been struck down by Covid with hundreds currently off work across all three local authorities.
Lynne McNiven, director of public health for NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: "Testing will help us to identify more cases of the virus and give us all a better chance of stopping it from spreading.
"It is important that you are tested regularly – this means twice a week.
"This is really important if you are a key worker and must attend work. Even if you have been vaccinated, it is still important that you get tested regularly, particularly if you are visiting a loved one in hospital or a care home, or if you are travelling to a Scottish island.”
Testing centres open for people without symptoms are:
North Ayrshire
From Thursday, July 8 until Wednesday, July 21:
Unit 24, Bridgegate, Irvine, KA12 8BJ
East Ayrshire
From Friday, July 2 until Thursday, July 15:
The Boswell Centre, Well Road, Auchinleck, KA18 2LA
From Friday, July 16 until Thursday, July 29:
Rose Reilly Sports Centre, 2 Kilwinning Road, Stewarton, KA3 3DN
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