Covid-19 in Aberdeenshire and Moray: Four 'asymptomatic' testing sites being set up in Elgin, Forres, Buckie and Lossiemouth

Preparations are under way to set up four testing centres across Moray for people not displaying any signs of Covid-19.

NHS Grampian says it is working with Moray Council to establish Community Asymptomatic Testing (CAT) centres in Buckie, Lossiemouth, Forres and Elgin.

A further two are also planned for Peterhead and Old Aberdeen.

The aim is to begin offering tests from mid-February using lateral flow devices, which provide people with rapid results – typically around 30 minutes.

Anyone testing positive with a lateral flow test will then have their result confirmed using a PCR test so that they can self-isolate to help stop the spread of the virus.

The NHS Grampian and NHS Fife regions have been chosen to trail this form of testing by Jeane Freeman, Scotland's Health Secretary.

Susan Webb, NHS Grampian's public health director, said: "About one third of people who have Covid-19 don’t experience any symptoms, so this is an important milestone in the expansion of Grampian’s testing programme that may help us to contain and suppress the virus.

"Once the sites are operational, we will be asking people to make use of them if they are concerned that they may have been placed at increased risk in order to provide an additional method of detection."

NHS Grampian is at pains to stress that a negative result is only a snapshot in time.

Therefore, people should continue observing FACTS guidance to protect themselves and others.

These are:

• Wear a Face covering

• Avoid crowds
• Clean your hands
• Stay Two metres apart
• Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.

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