A Covid-19 testing centre is opening up to the wider community as of tomorrow.
The facility, co-located at the University of Aberdeen’s Butchart Centre on University Road, had originally been set up to test students for the virus.
But as of Monday, March 8 the centre will open to the public, who will be able to book a test at their convenience.
Tests must be booked in advance and can be done via an online booking portal. Anyone who is asymptomatic can be tested twice a week three days apart.
Head of health intelligence at NHS Grampian, Jillian Evans, said: “Community testing is voluntary but we hope that providing easy access to tests for any member of the public as well as key workers without symptoms, will encourage people to come forward.
“This will help us identify cases that would otherwise be missed and, whilst it will increase the number of positive cases reported in Aberdeen, is an important expansion of our testing programme that will help us understand and suppress the virus.”
Tests are self-administered by taking a swab sample from the back of the throat and nose. The process takes minutes and results will be sent by the NHS via text or email normally within 90 minutes.
Anyone testing positive with a lateral flow test will be asked to have their result confirmed using a PCR test so that they can self-isolate where necessary to help stop the spread.
Debbie Dyker, director of people at the university, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the city’s response to managing the pandemic.
“Our Testing Centre has supported the testing of our students to enable them to travel home safely to family prior to Christmas, and also supported those students that have been required to return to University this term in a safe manner.
“By getting tested not just once but regularly, key workers and others will be doing what they can to keep our community safe.”
The University of Aberdeen facility is the only one in the city and is joined by further sites in Aberdeenshire and Moray as part of Grampian’s participation in a trial announcement by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman last month.
