Scottish Government 'concerned' about incident that saw coronavirus test samples found at the side of the A9 near Tain as NHS Highland investigation continues
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An investigation is ongoing into how a medical sample bag – containing Covid-19 tests – came to be found at the side of the A9.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are concerned about this incident, particularly as testing is a vitally important part of reducing the transmission of the virus.
"NHS Highland made us aware that intact test samples were found by a member of the public near Tain and handed in to the police.
"NHS Highland has investigated this incident and given the Scottish Government assurances that the tests were safely recovered, that the package remained intact and that at no point was there any risk to the public."
A spokeswoman for NHS Highland confirmed an investigation is still ongoing into how the samples, en route from Wick to Inverness, had ended up at the side of the road, but that it had already changed procedures for transportation.
Volunteer group Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes, which undertakes transportation duties for NHS Highland, issued a statement to say it had not been involved in transporting the bag found by a member of the public on Monday night.
This was confirmed by the health board.
Related articles: NHS Highland changes way it transports coronavirus specimen bags – but reiterates 'no risk' posed by samples
Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes charity 'not involved' in incident
