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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Coronavirus: Testing hit by 'exceptional demand' and 'technical hitches' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Covid-19 testing system has been hit by "exceptional demand" which has seen some people in Scotland only offered tests in England. | The Covid-19 testing system has been hit by "exceptional demand" which has seen some people in Scotland only offered tests in England. |
| Nicola Sturgeon has said she was aware of "possible technical issues" with the UK-wide online booking system. | Nicola Sturgeon has said she was aware of "possible technical issues" with the UK-wide online booking system. |
| It has led to some people in Glasgow and the central belt being directed as far afield as Penrith in Cumbria. | It has led to some people in Glasgow and the central belt being directed as far afield as Penrith in Cumbria. |
| The problems have been highlighted after positive coronavirus tests at schools in Glasgow and Lanarkshire. | The problems have been highlighted after positive coronavirus tests at schools in Glasgow and Lanarkshire. |
| BBC Scotland has also been contacted by Glasgow parents who said the closest test centre made available to them was in Stranraer. | BBC Scotland has also been contacted by Glasgow parents who said the closest test centre made available to them was in Stranraer. |
| They would ordinarily expect to be offered an appointment at Glasgow Airport. | They would ordinarily expect to be offered an appointment at Glasgow Airport. |
| The first minister said the government was "looking right now at how the demand is properly and appropriately managed". | The first minister said the government was "looking right now at how the demand is properly and appropriately managed". |
| She added: "There may have been some technical issues with some people in Scotland, instead of being directed to the next available slot in Scotland, being directed erroneously to testing centres in England. | She added: "There may have been some technical issues with some people in Scotland, instead of being directed to the next available slot in Scotland, being directed erroneously to testing centres in England. |
| "We are working to ensure that is resolved. | "We are working to ensure that is resolved. |
| "I would say to people: our testing system is obviously working an it's working well. But at periods of high demand, bear with us as we resolve any particular issues." | "I would say to people: our testing system is obviously working an it's working well. But at periods of high demand, bear with us as we resolve any particular issues." |
| 'Badly wrong' | |
| Scottish Labour's Monica Lennon said the problem was part of a wider issue over testing. | |
| She said: "We've had months to boost capacity and testing and we're still not getting it right. | |
| "It is, frankly, astonishing that people in Glasgow are having to travel over the border to England for a Covid-19 test. | |
| "Something has gone badly wrong and the Scottish government has to fix it rapidly." |