Covid testing 'megalab' to open in Scotland as fight against virus is stepped up

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.One fifth of all Covid-19 deaths in Renfrewshire have occurred in November, shock new statistics have revealed.A devastating 59 people lost their lives to the virus in the past month as the second wave of the pandemic reached its peak.In the last week of November alone, 25 people died after contracting Covid-19, the National Records of Scotland has revealed.It brings the death toll for Renfrewshire to a

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.More than 20,000 people in Lanarkshire have now tested positive for coronavirus.At the Scottish Government's daily press briefing in Edinburgh, Deputy First Minister John Swinney today (Friday, December 4) confirmed that a further 166 people in the region tested positive yesterday.In total, 20,104 cases of Covid-19 have now been registered in the region since the first positive cases were confirmed in

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Only people who live, work or attend school in Johnstone are being asked to take part in the mass Covid-19 testing scheme.Scotland’s first mass testing centre for people with no symptoms of the virus is set to open in Johnstone Town Hall on Wednesday.The pilot project will see up to 12,000 people tested for the virus over the following seven days.Now Renfrewshire Council has confirmed it will only be locals

NHS Inform or by calling 0800 028 2816.

Jackie McNamara believes old team-mate Neil Lennon will be feeling the heat despite putting a brave face on things. But he also reckons the under-pressure Hoops boss has suffered setbacks most managers only see in their nightmares.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Johnstone Town Hall has been chosen to host Scotland’s first mass Covid-19 testing centre for asymptomatic people, the Express understands.The Church Street venue will be used to test up to 12,000 people who are not currently displaying symptoms of the virus.The pilot is currently proposed to launch on Wednesday and last for one week.Those taking part will, it is understood, undergo a lateral flow test which

vaccination programme and targeted action in high-risk areas in level 4 restrictions.Speaking at Holyrood today, Freeman said: "Testing is undeniably important but it is just one layer of protection - many layers are needed to fight this virus."Our increased capability to test more people, more often, is potentially powerful as we navigate our way through the coming months as safely as we can alongside our nationwide vaccination programme."Freeman said six mobile testing units and 20,000 home

East Kilbride councillor who is monitoring the success of the UK Government’s pilot testing scheme in Liverpool.

Covid-19 researchers - predicts red zones of infection across Scotland.It means that those areas are projected to have the country’s highest infection levels on December 6th.Imperial College London's research and interactive map also suggests infection rates will remain alarmingly high in many parts of Scotland.It shows that 13 authority areas have a 75%-100% chance of being a hotspot next month.Researchers from Imperial College London define a hotspot as a local authority where there are more

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Renfrewshire has become the worst affected area for Covid-19 infections in Scotland.Data, released by Public Health Scotland, shows the area has overtaken Glasgow in the number of new people testing positive for the virus.In the week to November 11, the region saw 285 people test positive for Covid-19 per 100,000 of population.The public health data, collated by the BBC, shows that Renfrewshire has seen an

The opening of two new coronavirus 'megalabs' will double the UK's coronavirus testing capacity, the government has announced.The new testing labs are due to open in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and another location in Scotland in early 2021.Together they will be able to process up to 600,000 tests a day when operating at full capacity, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).Each lab will have the capacity to test 300,000 samples a day.As well as processing Covid-19 tests,

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterNorth Ayrshire doesn’t have a Covid-testing centre because Crosshouse Hospital near Kilmarnock is seen as appropriate, a meeting heard.But new walk-in testing centres are now being considered.Councillor Jim Montgomerie said lots of residents have asked him why they have to travel elsewhere for tests.The Saltcoats politician asked council leader Joe Cullinane why there are no coronavirus testing

covid testing for all health and social care workers. Scottish Labour’s Monica Lennon called for the ‘immediate’ routine testing that received support from all parties in a vote at Holyrood on Wednesday evening.

Scottish Government will today reveal details on how students will be able to safely return home at Christmas. Higher education minister Richard Lochhead is expected to announce a mass testing regime for undergraduates to allow them to leave halls of residence without spreading Covid in the wider community.It could see students tested for coronavirus twice, five days apart, with two negative results required before they are allowed to head home.

Covid-19. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) confirmed the outbreak at Barlinnie comes after a number of staff tested positive last week.