The former Stoneyhill Community Centre in Musselburgh will now offer symptomatic COVID-19 testing as well as tests for people with no symptoms of the virus.
The facility was set up to provide the public with easy access to lateral flow tests but this is being expanded to also offer PCR testing (for people with symptoms).
From Monday, 17 January the opening hours at Stoneyhill will be 10am-5pm (Monday-Friday).
Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 (the most common of which are a continuous cough, fever/high temperature, loss of/change in sense of smell or taste) can attend on a drop-in basis for a PCR test.
Alternatively people with symptoms can continue to make an appointment to attend for a test elsewhere through NHS Inform.
The facility at Stoneyhill will continue to offer lateral flow testing for people with no symptoms as well as being a collection point for people to take home testing kits home. No appointment is required. The lateral flow testing provided is Orient Gene (nose only).
Sharon Saunders, Head of Communities, East Lothian Council, said:
“We are supportive of efforts to make it as easy as possible for people to access the appropriate COVID-19 test.
“Since last Spring the former Stoneyhill Community Centre has operated successfully as a testing facility for people with no symptoms.
“It was launched because it is possible for people to have the virus without showing any of the usual symptoms. That’s why regular lateral flow testing – if we feel fine – continues to be an important part of our collective efforts to drive down infection levels.
“Stoneyhill will continue to offer testing for people with no symptoms – complementing the deployment of mobile test units, pop-up collection services around local communities and self-ordered home deliveries.
“As part of a national pilot, the facility will also now be offering PCR testing for people with symptoms."
There are over 60 local and regional PCR testing centres and 42 Mobile Testing Units operating in Scotland. The integrated Community Test sites are part of a pilot project designed to enhance testing provision in communities.
Minister for Public Health, Women's Health & Sport Maree Todd said:
“We continue to work with our partners to enhance the COVID-19 test system in Scotland. Including PCR testing within our Targeted Community Testing Programme through integration with our regional hub laboratories is a significant development and will increase availability of testing within the four communities it is being piloted in.
“By identifying and isolating cases, we are breaking chains of transmission within those communities and giving us a better chance of stopping the virus from spreading.”
For those who have symptoms of COVID (commonly a fever, new continuous cough, or loss of sense of taste or smell), the advice remains to book a PCR test, even if you have a positive lateral flow test.
However, from 6 January, if a lateral flow test is positive, and the person does not have symptoms, they will no longer be required to take a PCR test to confirm the result.
Instead, the person concerned must immediately isolate and also report their result online so that Test & Protect can commence the contact tracing process and give advice as quickly as possible.
As well as being available for collection from the former Stoneyhill Community Centre, it is possible for people to order home delivery of lateral flow testing kits online or collect a testing kit from a local pharmacy.