Asymptomatic Test Sites (ATS)

Many people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising it. 

Asymptomatic testing will help us find and isolate more cases, helping us to identify more cases of the virus and giving us all a better chance of stopping the virus from spreading.

Do not attend if you have a new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste. 

Do not attend if you are currently self isolating because you have been identified as a close contact, or if you have tested positive for COVID 19 in the last 90 days.

Tests for people with COVID 19 symptoms can be arranged by visiting NHS inform (see other website links on right of page) or by calling 119. This number is free for everyone. 
 

 

Questions and answers

 

Who should go to an asymptomatic testing site?
Anyone who does not have the following common symptoms of COVID 19: a new continuous cough, fever/temp 37.8C or higher, loss/change in sense of smell/taste can visit an ATS. It is for local authorities and health boards to decide specific groups to target for testing, but recommend those who are least likely to get tested. Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus should follow the usual process and book a test by visiting NHS inform (see other website links on right of page) or by calling 119.

 

How does the process work? (for testing people with no symptoms)

Following successful trials in early December 2020, the Scottish Government is introducing a Community Testing Programme. This will target testing and other resources in communities to identify positive cases and break chains of transmission. The expansion of the testing programme will provide additional protection for communities.

People are invited to get tested, even if they have none of the main symptoms. Sites testing for asymptomatic coronavirus are walk in with no booking required.

Asymptomatic test sites can test people in a target group (for example, those who cannot work from home, or those deemed least likely to come for testing) who have no COVID 19 symptoms.

The advantage of Directors of Public Health and Local Authorities planning their own Community Testing, is that they know their populations well and can take a broader view of who should be targeted, supported by local intelligence.

People with symptoms of coronavirus should not attend these sites.

Any person who has the symptoms of COVID 19 ––(a cough, a temperature or loss of taste or smell) should take immediate steps to book a test. A test can be arranged by visiting NHS inform (see other website links on right of page) or by calling 119.

 

When does the testing start?
Testing started on Tuesday 2nd March 2021. Opening hours and current venue details are listed above in the blue box.

 

What type of tests will be used for asymptomatic Community Testing and how do they work?
Lateral flow antigen tests (LFT) are a new kind of technology that can be used to test a higher proportion of asymptomatic people, better enabling us to identify and isolate more people who are at high likelihood of spreading virus, and break the chains of transmission.

A Lateral Flow Device (LFD) detects the presence or absence of coronavirus from a swab or saliva sample. The sample is mixed with a buffer solution, which releases and breaks up virus fragments. Some of the solution is then dropped on to the lateral flow device. The sample runs along the surface of the devices’ absorbent strip, showing at the end a visual positive or negative result dependent on the presence of the virus.

 

How will you incentivise people to participate in Community Testing?
Greater testing can reduce the prevalence of the disease. Targeting testing and other resources at communities to identify high transmission rates will identify positive cases and break chains of COVID 19 transmission. By getting tested, this will help the population stay safe and could help protect families and friends, your local community, aid the reopening of schools and services and help to protect the NHS. 

Local authorities should provide significant details on isolation and wraparound support if people do test positive for coronavirus. This may include information such as:
If you are asked to self isolate and you are concerned about the financial impact:
• Your employer should be able to assist you
• You may be eligible/entitled to statutory sick pay.
• You may be eligible for the Self Isolation Support Grant.

More information on these and other types of available support, please contact the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000 or Textphone on 0800 111 4114.

See also the Scottish Government fact sheet (see other website links on right of page).

 

Will people be required to take a test?
No. Tests are completely voluntary and there for anyone who may want one.
We are hoping that many people will recognise the benefits of getting involved in local testing efforts to reduce the spread of the virus in their communities.

 

What about people who cannot get to a test site?
Locally led Community Testing will continue to be supported through the national Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) fleet which is delivered by the Scottish Ambulance Service. In partnership with the UK Government, and through additional funding of £800,000 from the  Scottish Government, this fleet will be at 42 by end of February 2021 and will have the capacity to reach 84 communities.

Home tests - if you have COVID 19 symptoms you can request a home test kit delivered to your home. If there is not a site near to you, then you should try to book a home testing kit at the Scottish Government testing page (see other website links on right of page).

You will be able to upload your results to the Protect Scotland app if you are tested at a test site for asymptomatic cases.

Individuals who test positive for COVID 19 will be contacted by the local contact tracing team so their close contacts can be identified. These close contacts will be asked to self isolate for 10 days.

If an individual tests positive for COVID19, they will be sent a unique code to their mobile to enter into the app. The data held in the app will then be sent to a server so close contacts also using the app can be notified and advised to self isolate.

 

Are lateral flow tests less accurate than PCR tests?
Lateral flow tests (LFT) and PCR tests have different characteristics and different uses. PCR tests have higher specificity and sensitivity but require a laboratory to process results and therefore results return slower. PCR tests are therefore well suited to specific use cases, such as those with COVID 19 symptoms.

While lateral flow tests have lower sensitivity than PCR, they deliver results far faster and do not require a lab, making them more scalable. As such, they allow us to test far larger numbers of asymptomatic people and get them their test result faster than with PCR technology. This will enable us to identify a large percentage of people who are infected and infectious, but asymptomatic and unaware that they have the virus.

 

Do these tests work for people without symptoms?
Lateral flow tests (LFT) are validated technology, it is safe, inexpensive and the results are trusted.
Extensive clinical evaluation from Public Health England and the University of Oxford show LFTs are specific and sensitive enough to be deployed for mass testing, including for asymptomatic people. Finding positive cases and asking them to isolate has been at the heart of our strategy to control this pandemic, and finding asymptomatic cases can only help save more lives.

If a person has tested positive in the past 90 days they should not be tested again unless they develop symptoms.

 

What will this test tell me?
If you get a positive result, it is likely that you were infectious at the time the test was taken.
The antigen test cannot detect very low levels of coronavirus in a sample, so if you have only recently been infected, are in the incubation period, or if you have mostly recovered, the test may not give a positive result.

 

How long does it take to do the test?
It takes less than 15 minutes to administer the test.

 

How long does it take to get the result?
The test produces a result within an hour.

 

How are the tests at asymptomatic test sites processed?
Lateral flow devices do not require a laboratory to process the test. Swabbing and processing of these tests must currently be conducted at a dedicated testing site by trained personnel. A solution is added to an extraction tube, the swab is then placed in the tube. Drops are then added to the LFD sample well. A positive result will appear between 20-30 minutes.

 

How much does each kit cost? And will it be available to buy on the market?
The UK Government has been purchasing kits. The current position is that these will not be available to purchase on the market. The cost per kit is not disclosed due to commercial confidentiality and sensitivities.

 

What should I do if I test positive?
If you test positive you will need to self isolate for 10 days. Information on the wraparound support available can be found on the NHS inform website (see other website links on right of page).

More information on these and other types of available support, please contact the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4 000 or Textphone on 0800 111 4114.

See also the Scottish Government fact sheet (see other website links on right of page).

 

Why should people take part?
We aim to identify people who are infectious and could spread the infection to others unknowingly. Identifying and supporting in fectious people to isolate before they develop symptoms will help reduce the spread of coronavirus. People who test positive will be offered support to self isolate.
 

What happens if I test negative?
You should continue to follow the preventative measures currently recommended for stopping the spread of the virus.
You can help protect yourself, others and the NHS by remembering: FACTS.
• F Face Coverings
• A Avoid crowded places
• C Clean hands regularly
• T Two meter distancing (where possible/applicable)
• S Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

 

What should someone do if they have coronavirus symptoms?
Free testing continues to be available to everyone in Scotland.
If you have/are showing symptoms (high temperature, continuous cough or loss of / change in taste or smell), please book a test at nhsinform.scot or by calling 0300 303 2713.
More information on Testing can be found at NHS Inform

Page last updated: 28 July 2021