Number of virus tests increased in Scotland

Capacity for testing has increased to 8,350 a day, split almost evenly between NHS facilities and the Glasgow Lighthouse Labratory. This was confirmed by first Minister Nicola Sturgeon who announced the expansion of the testing programme.

There will now be enhanced outbreak investigation in care homes, sample testing in care homes without the virus and more testing for people aged over 65.

Health Protection Scotland will also introduce antibody testing, which detects if someone is likely to have contracted COVID-19 more than two weeks ago. As of next week this enhanced surveillance testing of blood samples will help scientists learn more about the virus and how it has affected Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon said: “At the start of this outbreak, only two laboratories in Scotland carried out tests. Now there are labs at all 14 health boards, we have exceeded our target to test 3,500 samples a day in the NHS and, working with the Lighthouse Lab at Glasgow University, capacity for testing in Scotland has now reached 8,323 and is on track to expand further this month.

“Given that our capacity has now expanded significantly, that means we can further extend eligibility for testing.

“We now intend to undertake enhanced outbreak investigation in all care homes where there are cases of COVID-19 – this will involve testing, subject to individuals’ consent, all residents and staff, whether or not they have symptoms. In addition, we are testing symptomatic over 65s as well as those who need to leave their homes to work.

“We are also expanding the surveillance testing programme to include antibody testing. This is another tool which will allow us to monitor the proportion of people exposed to Covid-19 and help tackle its spread across the population.”