Negative Covid-19 result for one RAF Lossiemouth runway worker
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ONE negative Covid-19 test result has been confirmed after alarm was raised yesterday over two RAF Lossiemouth runway workers.
VolkerFitzpatrick, the main contractor on RAF Lossiemouth's runway resurfacing project, today released an update after its weekly antibody testing regime showed positive results for two workers on Monday.
The workers were isolated and NHS tests were arranged in Inverness.
Antibody tests indicate whether a person may have had the virus, whereas NHS tests are designed to pick up whether a person currently has the virus.
The second individual's test result was inconclusive and the company is awaiting the results of a retest.
A company spokesperson said: "VolkerFitzpatrick has been working on the runways and operating surfaces at RAF Lossiemouth since December 2019, preparing the station to welcome its new fleet of P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft later this year.
"The global coronavirus pandemic introduced complications that could not have been foreseen, but we have adapted the ways we work to ensure the safety of our people, the local communities, and our operations.
"As soon as it was practically possible, we initiated a comprehensive regime of Covid-19 antibody testing, using a commercially available test kit.
"On Monday, two of our workforce showed positive antibody test results for the virus. They immediately self-isolated and followed the guidance set out by NHS Scotland. NHS Inform were made aware of these results.
"Our first priority was to ensure the wellbeing of these individuals. Once we were satisfied that our people were receiving the support they required, we liaised with our MoD counterparts to establish the facts. These were released in a statement by the RAF Lossiemouth Station Commander last night.
"We arranged for antigen testing to take place at the NHS facility in Inverness. We are pleased to report that one of the tests has returned a negative result, and we are awaiting confirmation of the results of a retest on the second individual."
VolkerFitzpatrick said its daily routine on-site at RAF Lossiemouth begins with 20 per cent of its workforce receiving an antibody test – with 100 per cent of the workforce tested every week. The company said all workers on-site have opted in to receive the voluntary tests.
