UK Government Minister David Duguid has today [18 September 2020] visited the Inverness drive-through coronavirus testing site, located at UHI Inverness campus.
The site is one of six drive-through testing sites across Scotland funded by the UK Government. Mr Duguid visited the facilities and thanked the dedicated team who are running the site.
Following the visit Minister Duguid said:
Today was a fantastic opportunity to see how the site in Inverness works. It allows people living in the area to get tested quickly.
I was delighted to meet some of the inspirational staff who are working round the clock to protect people in Inverness and prevent the spread of coronavirus. This facility is crucial for containing and managing outbreaks at a local level.
I would like to thank the Inverness team for their contribution to our fight against coronavirus.
The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland this includes six drive-through sites, the Lighthouse Lab in Glasgow, 22 Mobile Testing Units and now two walk-through sites – all funded by the UK Government. More walk-through sites are expected to open across Scotland in the coming weeks.
This is just one part of the UK Government support for people in Scotland throughout the pandemic. In Scotland, the UK Government has protected more than 930,000 jobs and granted thousands of businesses loans, airlifted critically ill patients from remote communities, helped convert temporary hospitals and procured millions of pieces of PPE. It is also providing an extra £6.5 billion for the Scottish devolved administration.
Everyone over the age of five with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute. Tests should be booked or ordered as soon as symptoms begin via the NHS Inform website or by calling 119 and you can expect your result the next day.
Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
