Residents of a Johnstone neighbourhood are being urged to find out if they have Covid-19 as a temporary testing site is set to launch in the area.
People living Cochrane Castle who are not displaying symptoms of the virus are being asked to get tested following a rise in new cases in the community.
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The testing site will open at Cochrane Castle Community Centre tomorrow.
The drop-in facility is being targeted at anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Cochrane Castle and aims to identify people who may unknowingly have the virus and be spreading it to others.
The facility will use lateral flow tests – which are quick tests that will be processed on site and people will get their results by text message within 45 minutes.
Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, chair of the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board, said: “Now that the restrictions are easing and we have universal testing, it’s important that we all get tested as often as we can.
“Temporary testing sites, like Cochrane Castle Community Centre, play an important part in helping to keep cases low and further reduce the spread of the virus.
“Anyone who lives, works or who goes to school in the Cochrane Castle area should drop into the centre and take a test.
“By doing this, you are helping yourself, your loved ones and your community.”
The asymptomatic site is being run and staffed by Renfrewshire Council as part of the national rollout of community testing sites.
It will open from 9am to 5pm tomorrow, Friday, Monday and Tuesday. On Thursday, it will operate between 11am and 7pm and on Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 3.30pm.
Anyone who tests positive will be required to self-isolate – along with the rest of their household – for ten days.
People who currently have Covid-19 symptoms such as a new persistent cough, high temperature, a loss of, or change in, taste or smell should book a test for an NHS-run centre.
These are based at Glasgow Airport and in Bridge Street, Paisley.
The testing centre comes as young people in Renfrewshire are offered more opportunities to get vaccinated against covid at drop-in clinics this weekend.
The latest drop-in timetable, issued by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, shows four clinics are to be hosted in Renfrewshire and Barrhead until Sunday.
Targeted mainly at younger people, the drop-in facilities aim to speed up the vaccination rollout among those aged 18 to 39.
People in this age group who have not had their first jab are being invited to attend alongside people who have waited eight weeks or more for a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
The first clinic of the weekend takes place at Renfrew Leisure Centre on Friday, from 9am to 3pm.
On Saturday, the Foundry in Barrhead will operate a clinic, also from 9am to 3pm, while Paisley’s Lagoon will offer jabs from 9am to 6pm.
The vaccinators will return to Renfrew Leisure Centre on Sunday for another clinic, again running from 9am to 3pm.
For more information on the drop-in centres across the health board area, go online to https://bit.ly/3AYh14j
