Rapid COVID-19 community testing available in Nairn and Inverness
Issued in partnership with NHS Highland
Rapid COVID-19 community testing will be available in Nairn from Tuesday 15 June to Friday 18 June, and in Inverness from Wednesday 16 June to Friday 18 June.
The community testing programme offers rapid COVID-19 tests for people without symptoms.
The Highland Council and NHS Highland will plan and deliver community testing in the Highlands wherever it is needed, to help people become confident in using the test kits and/or to help manage any local outbreak that may occur.
The mobile testing units, nicknamed Jabbernaut and Testalot, will be available for drop-in testing for anyone without symptoms at:
Links Car Park, Cumming St, Nairn IV12 4NQ (Testalot)
Tuesday 15 June 9:30am-4:30pm
Wednesday 16 June 9:30am-4:30pm
Thursday 17 June 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 18 June 9:30am-3:30pm
Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Rd, Inverness IV3 5PB (Jabbernaut)
Wednesday 16 June 9:30am-4:30pm
Thursday 17 June 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 18 June 9:30am-1pm
The mobile testing units will also be operating a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Collect service, which makes packs of seven testing kits available for free to the public, to be taken away and used at home.
The testing process takes ten minutes, and results are usually sent within an hour, though may occasionally take up to 24 hours.
The test uses the 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.
By getting tested, you can help your community, families and friends stay safe and slow down the spread of coronavirus. It also helps to show us how the virus is spread.
No appointment is necessary to receive a test. When you arrive at a mobile testing unit, you will first be asked to wait outside, before being registered and entering. You will then be escorted to a testing booth.
LFD tests for people without COVID-19 symptoms can also sent to your home, in packs of 7, by visiting the UK Government's coronavirus support page.
The LFD test is used in some workplaces already, including schools. If you already get tested through your workplace or education setting you should continue to use those routes.
Dr Tim Allison, Director of Public Health with NHS Highland, said: “Many people who have coronavirus (COVID-19) 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.”
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.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you 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. If you have symptoms, you should not use an LFD test.
Similarly, you should not attend asymptomatic testing sites if you are currently self-isolating because you have been identified as a close contact, or if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
PCR tests for people with COVID-19 symptoms can be arranged by visiting nhsinform.scot or by calling 119.