Covid mobile testing unit on its way to Aviemore today
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Rapid Covid-19 community testing will be available to people in Aviemore from this morning following a cluster of cases in the village, Highland Council has announced.
The mobile testing unit will be at the village's retail park until Friday evening.
A council spokesperson said: "The community testing programme offers rapid Covid-19 tests for people without symptoms, and has been asked by NHS Highland to deploy a mobile asymptomatic testing unit in Aviemore.
"There have been small clusters of cases and the people traced to these clusters are isolating.
"Whilst the unit is being deployed, anyone that has symptoms of Covid-19, or has been identified as a close contact of Covid-19, must access PCR testing.
"At this point, there is no evidence of wider community transmission.
"The testing will help identify any asymptomatic cases that may occur, and allow people to become confident in using the test kits."
The mobile testing unit will be available for drop-in testing for anyone without symptoms at the retail part from 9am to 6pm for each of the three days.
The testing process takes 10 minutes, and results are usually sent within an hour, though may occasionally take up to 24 hours.
The test uses the Lateral Flow Device (LFD) and is 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.
The LFD test is used in some workplaces already and also local schools.
Dr Tim Allison, director of public health with NHS Highland, said: “Many people who have coronavirus have no 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. Anyone that tests positive with an LFD needs to get a confirmatory PCR test.
"More testing helps to show us how the virus is spread and will help us reduce risk.”
Those who already get tested through their workplace or education setting should continue to use these routes.
Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate immediately and seek a PCR test.
Symptoms include new continuous cough, fever, or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste.
People should not attend asymptomatic testing sites if they are currently self-isolating because they have been identified as a close contact, or if they have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 90 days.
PCR tests for people with coronavirus symptoms can be arranged by visiting nhsinform.scot or by calling 119.
PCR tests are also available at Grantown and Kingussie fire stations, and for more information call Rural Testing at 01463 706015.
Aviemore Primary School kitchen staff member tests positive for Covid
