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Inverness coronavirus test centre reopens after six staff members contracted virus


By Ian Duncan

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Covid-19 walk in testing centre in the Highland Council car park.
Covid-19 walk in testing centre in the Highland Council car park.

An Inverness Covid-19 test centre has reopened after being closed when staff members contracted the virus.

The centre, based at Highland Council headquarters in Glenurquhart Road, is operated on behalf of the UK government by private firm Mitie.

A spokeswoman for the company confirmed six members of staff had tested positive for Covid-19 and that the centre had been closed over the weekend as a result.

“Following a small number of employees testing positive for Covid-19, the decision was made to close the test centre in line with health and safety procedures,” she said.

“The safety of our employees and members of the public is our utmost priority.

"Therefore, as a precaution, all colleagues in this team are now self-isolating, and every employee on site is receiving additional training on PPE, social distancing and test and trace procedure.”

The site remained open to the public after the first member of staff tested positive on Friday, though it was deep cleaned overnight and cleaned again throughout the following day, she said.

The decision was taken to close on Saturday night after further positive tests among staff.

Staff at the centre are split into two teams and everyone working in team one has been tested and is currently self-isolating.

A site audit and safety visit have been conducted by the Inverness Health Protection Team – part of NHS Highland.

Mitie said it is also working closely with NHS Test & Trace and Department of Health and Social Care teams.

A UK government spokesman would not comment on the incident but stressed that all necessary safety measures were in place at the site.


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