FRIDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER, 2021

Immediate release

Brechin public urged to support mobile testing vans

The mobile testing van has been unable to operate in Brechin over recent weeks due to traffic cones and signage around the testing zone being moved.

The mobile testing van offering Lateral Flow Device testing for COVID-19 to the people of Brechin usually attends the Maisondieu West Car Park on a Wednesday from 10.30am until 4pm.

There has been an ongoing issue for a number of months with the removal of traffic cones and signage which are put in place by Angus Council to safely zone off the area where the van operates. The cones and signage are put in place on Tuesday evening in the area which has been agreed with Angus Council and risk-assessed as safe for the British Red Cross (BRC), who operate the mobile testing vans.

Overnight, somebody in the local community is moving the cones and signage to the East Car Park to an area which has not been approved as safe to use. When the BRC team arrives on Wednesday morning, cars are parked in the West Car Park area meaning that the van cannot operate and the people of Brechin do not have the opportunity to be tested locally for COVID-19.

Dr Daniel Chandler, Associate Director of Public Health with NHS Tayside said, “We are seeing high numbers of cases of COVID-19 in Scotland and in Tayside so it is more important than ever that the mobile testing vans are able to operate in our communities to identify people who are carrying the virus.

“It is very disappointing that what I’m sure is a very small number of people in Brechin are preventing the testing team from providing this important service to the town. I would urge the community to pull together and to support the service to operate as planned.

“Getting tested regularly for COVID-19 even if you don't have symptoms is one of the ways to keep our communities safe as restrictions ease - even if you have had both doses of the vaccine.

“Regular testing helps us to find positive cases in people who have no symptoms, but who are still infectious. If people who test positive and their contacts self-isolate, we can break the chain of transmission and limit the spread of COVID-19. I would encourage everyone to make regular use of the testing services on offer.”

Additional information:

The mobile testing vans offer Lateral Flow Device testing with results available within an hour. The vans are available for anyone who does not have symptoms (also known as being asymptomatic). The mobile testing sites offer self-administered tests and are walk-in and there is no need to book an appointment. However, to make the process quicker, you can book in advance and pre-register your details by phoning 119.

Anyone who tests positive following an LFD test will be asked to attend for a PCR test to confirm their result and must self-isolate whilst they await their result.

The mobile units are operated by staff from British Red Cross who will support anyone attending through the quick and painless testing procedure. Full instructions for taking the test will be provided.

People who have any COVID-19 symptoms – a new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste - should not attend the asymptomatic testing sites, nor should those who are currently self-isolating because they have been identified as a close contact, or those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days.

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate and book a test at nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.

In addition to the mobile testing vans, there are other ways for people in Tayside to get tested. More information on the testing programme is available at www.covidtayside.scot.nhs.uk and www.taysidecares.co.uk including videos of how to take a test and an FAQ document.

Permanent testing venues

PCR Testing is also available across Tayside every day from 8am to 8pm for anyone whether you have symptoms or not. People can book a test via nhsinform.scot or by calling 119.

Collect a test

You can also collect a rapid test kit (LFD) from the permanent testing venues. LFD kits to self-test at home are now also available from community pharmacies. People can find out which pharmacies are taking part by going to NHS inform, following a link and entering their postcode.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138