Midlothian to roll-out asymptomatic Covid-19 testing centres

Rapid Covid-19 testing sites for people with no symptoms of coronavirus are set to be rolled out across Midlothian in the coming weeks.
Stock photo by John Devlin.Stock photo by John Devlin.
Stock photo by John Devlin.

This community testing initiative aims to drive down local Covid-19 rates and transmission by identifying positive cases more quickly.

Funded by the Scottish Government, the programme will offer testing to people with no Covid symptoms, who may be infectious and spreading the virus without knowing it.

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Community testing using lateral flow tests will begin on Tuesday at Mayfield and Easthouses Church.

The testing will take place at Mayfield & Easthouses Church.The testing will take place at Mayfield & Easthouses Church.
The testing will take place at Mayfield & Easthouses Church.

This first walk-in test centre will operate for two weeks and will be open from 11am to 6pm Tuesdays to Saturdays inclusive. It will be run initially by military personnel with support from Midlothian Council staff.

People living in and around Mayfield and Easthouses who do not have Covid-19 symptoms are encouraged to come forward for tests. By getting tested, people will be helping to fight the pandemic while providing valuable information about asymptomatic infection rates in the community.

There will be no need to book an appointment for any of the asymptomatic testing sites. It is designed as a walk-in service available for everyone without symptoms who live or work locally.

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Residents will be tested using lateral flow devices, which can give people their results within an hour.

Anyone testing positive will be asked to self-isolate and given advice about getting a PCR test to confirm the result. Dedicated support is available to anyone who needs to self-isolate.

Derek Oliver, Chief Officer Place said: “Midlothian is doing very well. Asymptomatic testing centres are a really useful tool in our efforts to keep rates of coronavirus low at a local level.

"We can be flexible with where we set them up and they can be up and running quickly.

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“It’s really important that as many people as possible come along and get tested, as people can spread the virus long before symptoms appear.”

The asymptomatic testing programme is currently expected to last six months. Midlothian residents will be able to check which sites are open by visiting www.midlothian.gov.uk/get-tested.

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