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Residents of Linwood are being urged to find out if they have Covid-19 when a temporary testing site for people without symptoms of the virus is set up in the area.
The testing site will be open from Wednesday 21 April to Tuesday 27 April and aims to slow the spread of the virus in the area – which has seen higher-than-average rates of Covid-19.
The facility will be in Tweedie Hall and will be run on a drop-in basis – no booking is needed.
It is being targeted at anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Linwood and is only for those who are not displaying any symptoms.
Anyone who does have Covid-19 symptoms (new persistent cough, high temperature, loss of taste/smell) should book a test for an NHS-run centre instead.
The facility will use lateral flow tests – which are quick tests that will be processed on site and see results returned via text message within 45 minutes.
It is being run and staffed by Renfrewshire Council as part of the national rollout of community testing sites.
It follows a successful deployment of temporary Covid-19 test sites in Johnstone, Gallowhill and Ferguslie Park in Paisley.
The testing site will be open from 9am-5pm on Wednesday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday, 11am-3.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 11am-7pm on Thursday.
Chris Dalrymple, the council’s chief environmental health officer, said: “Asymptomatic testing is helping us stop the spread of Covid-19 in Renfrewshire.
“Our other temporary asymptomatic testing centres in Johnstone, Gallowhill and Ferguslie helped us find people in these communities who had Covid-19 and were spreading it without knowing it. This testing centre will allow us to do the same in Linwood, helping us to stop the spread of the virus in the community.
“I would encourage anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Linwood to visit our testing centre. Taking a test is the best way to protect your loved ones and your community.”
Anyone who tests positive will be required to self-isolate – along with the rest of their household – for ten days.
Financial support is available – you may be eligible for a Self-Isolation Support Grant and can apply for this through the council.
More information is at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-testing-centres.
