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Coronavirus: Testing extended to include key workers in Scotland | Coronavirus: Testing extended to include key workers in Scotland |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Key workers in Scotland with symptoms of coronavirus can now apply to be tested. | Key workers in Scotland with symptoms of coronavirus can now apply to be tested. |
Health and social care workers were already eligible for testing but now the programme has been expanded to cover other critical workers. | Health and social care workers were already eligible for testing but now the programme has been expanded to cover other critical workers. |
They include people working in food production, energy supply and supermarket workers. | They include people working in food production, energy supply and supermarket workers. |
According to new government guidance, they can apply to be tested at one of four drive-through sites in Scotland. | According to new government guidance, they can apply to be tested at one of four drive-through sites in Scotland. |
The development emerged as the Scottish government confirmed the deaths of 47 people who had tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 1,231. | |
Almost 48,000 people have been tested in Scotland, with about 10,000 producing a positive result. | |
Testing is being targeted at people who are self-isolating - because they or a member of their household has symptoms - to enable them to get back to work as quickly as possible. | Testing is being targeted at people who are self-isolating - because they or a member of their household has symptoms - to enable them to get back to work as quickly as possible. |
They can apply for a test through a UK government website which has been overwhelmed by demand since it launched on Friday. | They can apply for a test through a UK government website which has been overwhelmed by demand since it launched on Friday. |
It was initially open only to people in England but tests became available to people in Scotland on Saturday. | It was initially open only to people in England but tests became available to people in Scotland on Saturday. |
Who can apply for a test? | Who can apply for a test? |
Tests were already available to health and social care workers through NHS testing facilities. | Tests were already available to health and social care workers through NHS testing facilities. |
Police officers, prison officers, the fire service, ambulance service and NHS 24 staff have also been able to access testing. | Police officers, prison officers, the fire service, ambulance service and NHS 24 staff have also been able to access testing. |
They have now been extended to key workers or people in their household with symptoms of the virus. | They have now been extended to key workers or people in their household with symptoms of the virus. |
The list of key workers include: | The list of key workers include: |
Where can you get tested? | Where can you get tested? |
The tests are carried out at drive-through sites at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports and at the University of the Highlands and Islands campus in Inverness. | The tests are carried out at drive-through sites at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports and at the University of the Highlands and Islands campus in Inverness. |
A limited number of home test kits are also available. | A limited number of home test kits are also available. |
How do you apply for a test? | How do you apply for a test? |
Eligible employers can register with a new website and refer staff for appointments. | Eligible employers can register with a new website and refer staff for appointments. |
People should also be able to use another site to book a test for themselves or members of their family. | People should also be able to use another site to book a test for themselves or members of their family. |
They will be invited to book an appointment or offered a home testing kit if they are unable to attend a drive-through centre. | They will be invited to book an appointment or offered a home testing kit if they are unable to attend a drive-through centre. |
According to the government guidance, the target for sending out the results by text is 48 hours. | According to the government guidance, the target for sending out the results by text is 48 hours. |