Coronavirus testing for people without symptoms now available
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Rapid Covid-19 testing is now available for people without symptoms across Aberdeenshire.
The new Community Collect programme launched by the Scottish Government enables people to test themselves by ordering lateral flow home test kits online which are quickly delivered through the post.
It aims to drive down local Covid-19 rates and transmission by identifying positive cases more quickly, as people can spread the virus to others before symptoms appear.
Residents who do not have any of the three Covid symptoms – a new continuous cough, temperature, loss or change in sense of taste or smell – are encouraged to get tested.
The kits along with helpful advice are also now being offered to north-east communities through the Peterhead Community Testing Centre in the Rescue Hall on Prince Street.
It was set up back in February to enable those without Covid symptoms to be tested, with results being returned to participants within the hour.
Community testing team leader Sara Reid said: “The lateral flow home test kits allow anyone who is not displaying coronavirus symptoms to test themselves twice-weekly.
“While you can, of course, order them online or via phone, by collecting a pack from the centre you can first undergo a test with us if you’re not quite sure what to do.
"We’re open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm so there’s always a time and day to suit everyone.”
It is estimated that one in three people with coronavirus do not display symptoms and therefore some individuals will be spreading the virus without realising it.
Testing without symptoms is entirely voluntarily but the team is urging as many people to do it as possible.
By taking the test, residents will be able to better protect their family, colleagues and the wider community by ensuring they are not spreading the virus to others without knowing it.
People do not have to book a test at Peterhead and are being encouraged to go when they are returning home from essential trips such as food shopping or collecting prescriptions so as not to make more journeys than strictly necessary.
People who wish to order lateral flow test kits online can visit https://test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/order-lateral-flow-kits/condition
For those who do not have digital access, they can book their order by calling 119.
