Coronavirus testing centre in Highlands visited by UK government minister
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A drive-through coronavirus testing facility in the Highland capital received a ministerial visit on Friday.
Government Minister David Duguid visited the Inverness drive-through coronavirus testing site which is located at UHI Inverness campus.
It is one of six drive-through testing sites across Scotland funded by the UK Government.
Mr Duguid thanked the dedicated team running the site.
He said: “Today was a fantastic opportunity to see how the site in Inverness works. It allows people living in the area to get tested quickly.
“I was delighted to meet some of the inspirational staff who are working round the clock to protect people in Inverness and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"This facility is crucial for containing and managing outbreaks at a local level.I would like to thank the Inverness team for their contribution to our fight against coronavirus.”
The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history.
In Scotland this includes six drive-through sites, the Lighthouse Lab in Glasgow, 22 Mobile Testing Units – and now two walk-through sites – all funded by the UK Government. More walk-through sites are expected to open across Scotland in the coming weeks.
Everyone over the age of five with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute. Tests should be booked or ordered as soon as symptoms begin at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 .
Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
Need to know
Everyone with symptoms can book or order a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus
Essential workers and members of their households can access priority testing at https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers
The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat, which can be done by the person themselves (self-administered) or by someone else (assisted). Those being tested may experience some mild discomfort but it should not hurt.
Testing and tracing are central to the government’s coronavirus recovery strategy. To stop the spread of the virus, everyone will need to play their part by isolating if symptomatic, booking a test as soon as possible, and if asked to do so, identifying their close contacts.
