This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51895936

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Coronavirus: Scottish Covid-19 testing expanded to communities Coronavirus: Scottish Covid-19 testing expanded to communities
(about 1 hour later)
Testing for coronavirus is to be extended into Scotland's communities but there will be no routine testing of people with minor symptoms.Testing for coronavirus is to be extended into Scotland's communities but there will be no routine testing of people with minor symptoms.
The Scottish government said surveillance testing would cover up to 1.2 million people. The Scottish government said the enhanced surveillance testing would provide a more accurate picture of the virus spread.
Tests will be offered to people presenting relevant symptoms, including flu-like symptoms or general respiratory illness. The advice for people with possible symptoms remains to stay at home for seven days unless symptoms are severe.
People with minor symptoms are advised to remain at home for seven days. In those circumstances they should contact GP surgeries by phone.
The Chief Medical Officer said surveillance testing would provide information on how fast the virus is spreading and inform decisions about further measures. The Chief Medical Officer said surveillance testing in areas containing 1.2 million people would provide information on how fast the virus is spreading and inform decisions about further measures.
Dr Catherine Calderwood said this "real-time" data could be used to predict when the coronavirus outbreak would peak.Dr Catherine Calderwood said this "real-time" data could be used to predict when the coronavirus outbreak would peak.
Coronavirus: Other developments Scotland suffered its first coronavirus-linked fatality on Friday with the death of an elderly patient in the Lothian NHS area who had existing underlying medical conditions.
On Saturday the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Scotland rose to 121 - a jump of 36 in 24 hours and the highest daily rise so far. By Sunday, a total of 4240 people had been tested in Scotland, with 153 tests coming back positive.
The country suffered its first fatality on Friday. The elderly patient in the Lothian NHS area had existing underlying medical conditions.
According to the latest update, a total of 3,715 people have been tested in Scotland.
Dr Calderwood said: "This new approach to testing will enable us to understand the pattern and spread of coronavirus in the community, to develop a clear assessment of the situation and to predict the peak number of cases, without having to test everyone with possible symptoms.Dr Calderwood said: "This new approach to testing will enable us to understand the pattern and spread of coronavirus in the community, to develop a clear assessment of the situation and to predict the peak number of cases, without having to test everyone with possible symptoms.
"Everybody has a role to play in helping contain this outbreak by following the latest health advice and basic hygiene precautions such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.""Everybody has a role to play in helping contain this outbreak by following the latest health advice and basic hygiene precautions such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing."
She reiterated the current public health advice for Scotland:She reiterated the current public health advice for Scotland:
Key workers such as NHS staff will continue to be tested if they show symptoms.Key workers such as NHS staff will continue to be tested if they show symptoms.