Stromness ‘community testing’ clinic first of many to help local people self test for COVID-19

A new clinic will open in Stromness this week to help people unsure about how to carry out ‘lateral flow device’ tests – or LFD tests – on themselves, in an effort to help monitor infection in the community.

The new Community Testing initiative is a partnership between NHSO, OIC and VAO supported by a grant from Scottish Government.

The project will see testing arrangements and clinics rolled out across Orkney, including in the isles.

The LFD assisted-testing drop-in clinic in Stromness will run in the John Rae room of the Stromness Warehouse Buildings every Thursday from 2 December from 1000-1300. Anyone without symptoms is encouraged to attend and no appointment is necessary. Entrance to the testing site will be from Ferry Road (not the Library entrance).

Jo Henry is the Operations Manager for the COVID Community Testing Service in Orkney: “Community testing is all about helping stopping COVID-19 in it is tracks, by picking up cases early in people are not displaying symptoms – or ‘asymptomatic’ cases.

“These clinics are about helping people to have the confidence to carry out twice weekly testing on themselves.

“So at the clinic, people will be taken step by step through the testing process and the simple hygiene measures they should do to help ensure self-testing is as effective as it can be.

“Testing kits are now available which only involve nasal swabbing – and these are the type we’ll be using and handing out at the clinics.”

It’s important to note LFD tests are for people who have no Covid symptoms.

Please don’t attend clinics if you feel unwell – if you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 you and your household should immediately self-isolate and you should arrange a PCR test. You can find details of how to access a PCR test on the home page of the NHS Orkney website or by calling 0300 303 9545.