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Mobile Covid testing unit to be set up in Grantown following a cluster of cases in the area


By Gregor White

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Coronavirus.
Coronavirus.

Asymptomatic testing – testing for those without Covid symptoms – is to be made available in Grantown-on-Spey in response to unusual virus strains circulating.

There are a number of different variants of Covid-19 which are not the main strains currently circulating in the UK.

The variant circulating in the Grantown area is one of those strains.

NHS Highland said contact tracing has been carried out with all positive cases and their close contacts advised to isolate immediately.

While no further cases have been identified to date, and the confirmed cases are small in number, due to these cases being a variant, enhanced contact tracing and additional testing is now being carried out to check that there has been no spread within the wider community.

A mobile testing unit will be available from Wednesday in Burnfield Avenue car park.

It is available through appointment only but everyone, whether you have symptoms or not, can be tested here.

While everyone in Scotland is able to order Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits NHS Highland is asking that, in response to the Grantown situation, people book into the mobile testing unit.

PCR tests will be carried out here.

Unlike LFD tests these are sent for further testing, to allow the identify of the variant of Covid-19 to be identified.

To book an appointment contact NHS Inform online or call 0800 028 2816.

When booking you should select the option "I have been asked to book a test by my local council or health protection team" which will allow you to book a test even if you don’t have symptoms.

Testing can also be booked at the Grantown-on-Spey fire station by calling 01463 706015.

Dr Jenny Wares, consultant in public health medicine with NHS Highland, said: "We are offering testing for those without symptoms to check that there has been no wider spread within the community.

"Many people who have coronavirus (Covid-19) have no symptoms, or mild symptoms, and will be spreading it without realising it.

“Asymptomatic testing, testing for those without symptoms, will allow us to identify those who are positive but are not displaying symptoms. We can then advise them to self-isolate and therefore prevent spread.

“We also all need to remain vigilant to the symptoms of Covid-19. The typical symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature or fever and a loss of, or change in, normal taste or smell.

"However, people with Covid-19 may not always experience these symptoms and can present with a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints, tiredness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting.

"In light of this cluster, we would advise that anyone that becomes unwell with these symptoms should isolate immediately and seek a test via NHS Inform.”

Dr Wares added: “We have been really encouraged by the engagement from our communities with the measures that have been in place over the past few months.

"We know that hearing about a variant under investigation can be worrying, but the way to limit the spread of any variant remains the same.

“It is really important that we all continue to follow FACTS – wear a face covering, avoid crowded places, clean your hands regularly, maintain two metres distance and self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.

"We would also ask that everyone continues to support those affected by Covid-19 in our communities with compassion.

“Lockdown is slowly being eased and it has been a very challenging year for all but we would ask that everyone continues to adhere to the guidelines. By doing this we can fight this virus.”


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