Stewarton residents urged to take test to find out if they have COVID-19 without knowing it

People of all ages who live in Stewarton are being encouraged to take an asymptomatic COVID-19 test between Monday 30 November and Friday 4 December to find out if they have the virus without even knowing it.

A mobile testing unit is being set up at the Rose Reilly Sports Centre specifically for local people to get tested if they don’t have symptoms but want to find out if they are asymptomatic and potentially spreading the virus to others without realising it.

After booking an appointment, you can get a free, quick and easy test and have the results back within 24-48 hours. Morning appointments are opened for bookings the evening before and further slots are released on the day itself for afternoon appointments that same day. If you can’t get an appointment to suit, please keep trying as new appointments will be appearing regularly.

To book, visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test (please select ‘No, none of these symptoms’ when prompted). If you don’t have internet access, you can call NHS Inform on 0800 028 2816 to book an appointment.

Operated by the Scottish Ambulance Service, the mobile unit is part of the Scottish Government’s bid to tackle the virus by increasing testing capacity. Identifying and supporting infectious people to isolate before they develop symptoms will help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This is particularly important at the moment as East Ayrshire has been placed within Level 4 restrictions due to having a high infection rate.

If you were to test positive, East Ayrshire Council has a range of support it can provide to help you isolate such as assistance with food deliveries, financial issues and wellbeing advice.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: “It’s important to note that the mobile testing unit is only for those who are not displaying any COVID-19 symptoms but want to find out if they are infectious. This is for people who live in Stewarton as this area currently has one of the highest infection rates in East Ayrshire.

“We really hope that people will recognise the benefits of getting tested to reduce the spread of the virus to their family, friends and community, particularly as we are under Level 4 restrictions, and as we enter the difficult winter months. There are so many of us who could be carrying the virus without even realising it.

“The more people who get tested, the sooner we can get back to doing the things we love and miss. Anyone who takes the test will be helping to stop the silent spread of this virus, break the chain of infection and save lives.”

If you do have COVID-19 symptoms, you should book a test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 0800 028 2816 if you don’t have internet access.

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