Rapid community testing for Covid-19 available in Thurso and Wick next week
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Rapid community testing for Covid-19 will be available at Thurso and Wick next week in a move aimed at helping to prevent any further spread of the virus.
The mobile testing unit will be available for drop-in testing for anyone without symptoms.
The unit will be in place from Monday to Wednesday at the lorry park in Thurso's Riverside Road, then on Thursday and Friday at the Riverside car park in Wick, with no appointment necessary.
When you arrive at the mobile testing unit, you will first be asked to wait outside, before entering and being registered. You will then be escorted to a testing booth.
The test uses the lateral flow device (LFD) and is said to be easy to administer. Results will be sent by text and/or email to those attending so there is no need to stay on site.
Guidance is provided on what to do if a test is negative, positive or unclear.
Highland Council and NHS Highland have said they will deliver community testing in the Highlands "wherever it is needed, to help people become confident in using the test kits and/or to help manage any local outbreak that may occur".
Dr Tim Allison, director of public health at NHS Highland, said: “Many people who have coronavirus have no symptoms, or mild symptoms, and will be spreading it without realising. By expanding community testing we will be able to identify more cases, giving us a better chance of stopping Covid-19 from spreading.
“Testing for those without symptoms, asymptomatic testing, will help us to identify those who are positive but do not have symptoms. We can then advise them to self-isolate and therefore prevent spread. More testing helps to show us how the virus is spread and will help us reduce risk.”
The mobile unit will be available for drop-in testing for anyone without symptoms at the following times:
Thurso lorry park, Riverside Road:
- Monday, May 17, from 1.30pm-4.30pm
- Tuesday, May 18, from 9.30am-4.30pm
- Wednesday, May 19, from 9.30am-4.30pm
Riverside car park, Wick:
- Thursday, May 20, from 9.30am-4.30pm
- Friday, May 21, from 9.30am-3pm
Highland Council and NHS Highland said in a joint statement: "Asymptomatic testing means we can identify cases and stop the virus spreading, helping to protect our communities and the NHS. Around one in three people with coronavirus have no symptoms but can still pass it on without realising it.
"By getting tested, you can help your community, families and friends stay safe and slow down the spread of coronavirus. It also helps to show us how the virus is spread, reducing risks and helping move towards reopening businesses.
"If you have been vaccinated, you should still consider getting tested. While vaccines reduce the risk of infection after 14 to 21 days, people who have been vaccinated could still become infected. No vaccine provides 100 per cent protection against a virus.
"The LFD test is used in some workplaces already, including schools. If you already get tested through your workplace or education setting you should continue to use those routes.
"People who have Covid-19 symptoms – new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste – should not attend asymptomatic testing sites, nor should those who are self-isolating because they have been identified as a close contact, or those who have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 90 days. Tests for people with Covid-19 symptoms can be arranged by visiting nhsinform.scot or by calling 119."
