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Coronavirus testing to be expanded in Scotland Coronavirus testing to be expanded in Scotland
(about 1 hour later)
Coronavirus testing is to be extended in Scotland, with more tests in care homes and a widening of eligibility, the first minister has announced.Coronavirus testing is to be extended in Scotland, with more tests in care homes and a widening of eligibility, the first minister has announced.
In future all residents and staff will be tested in any care home where there has been an outbreak.In future all residents and staff will be tested in any care home where there has been an outbreak.
Over 65-year-olds with symptoms and their households will now be eligible for the UK-wide test scheme.Over 65-year-olds with symptoms and their households will now be eligible for the UK-wide test scheme.
Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland now has capacity to carry out 4,350 coronavirus tests a day in NHS laboratories.Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland now has capacity to carry out 4,350 coronavirus tests a day in NHS laboratories.
The Scottish government had previously set a target of 3,500 NHS tests a day by the end of April.The Scottish government had previously set a target of 3,500 NHS tests a day by the end of April.
The first minister also said 40 people who had tested postive for Covid-19 had died in the past 24 hours, taking total deaths under that measure to 1,515. The first minister also said 40 people who had tested positive for Covid-19 had died in the past 24 hours, taking total deaths under that measure to 1,515.
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 11,654, up 301 from Thursday. A total of 1,809 patients are in hospital, up 61, with 110 treated in intensive care, up one.The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 11,654, up 301 from Thursday. A total of 1,809 patients are in hospital, up 61, with 110 treated in intensive care, up one.
Testing capacityTesting capacity
Two testing schemes are operating in parallel in Scotland - NHS testing and a UK government drive-through scheme that is operating at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports as well as sites in Inverness and Perth.Two testing schemes are operating in parallel in Scotland - NHS testing and a UK government drive-through scheme that is operating at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports as well as sites in Inverness and Perth.
Applications for the UK government scheme are made through an online portal, but as the health service is devolved it is up to the Scottish government to lay down the eligibility criteria.Applications for the UK government scheme are made through an online portal, but as the health service is devolved it is up to the Scottish government to lay down the eligibility criteria.
The first minister said the NHS laboratory testing capacity had risen from 350 a day before the outbreak to the current level of 4,350. She hoped it would rise to 6,500 by the end of next week, and 8,000 by mid-May.The first minister said the NHS laboratory testing capacity had risen from 350 a day before the outbreak to the current level of 4,350. She hoped it would rise to 6,500 by the end of next week, and 8,000 by mid-May.
Ms Sturgeon also said the UK government network had a testing capacity of 4,000 a day, giving a current total of 8,350. The Lighthouse laboratory at Glasgow University, working mainly for the UK-wide scheme, is now capable of processing 4,000 tests a day from drive-through test centres and mobile testing units which are being rolled out across Scotland.
On Thursday, a total of 4,661 tests were carried out under the two schemes in Scotland. The two schemes have a current total capacity of 8,350. On Thursday, a total of 4,661 tests were carried out.
Care homesCare homes
Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government would undertake "advanced outbreak investigation" at care homes reporting cases of Covid-19.Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government would undertake "advanced outbreak investigation" at care homes reporting cases of Covid-19.
The investigation will involve testing of all residents and staff regardless of symptoms.The investigation will involve testing of all residents and staff regardless of symptoms.
She said, if a care home is part of a chain where staff move between homes, the testing will be carried out in the linked institutions. If a care home is part of a chain where staff move between homes, testing will be carried out in the linked institutions.
Ms Sturgeon also said there will be sample testing done in homes where no cases have been reported.Ms Sturgeon also said there will be sample testing done in homes where no cases have been reported.
However, she added: "This should not simply be an exercise in driving up numbers.However, she added: "This should not simply be an exercise in driving up numbers.
"Tests, particularly for older people can be invasive and unpleasant, so our decisions about testing must always be clinically driven.""Tests, particularly for older people can be invasive and unpleasant, so our decisions about testing must always be clinically driven."
Over 65s and other workers Over-65s and other workers
People who are aged over 65 and their households can now apply for testing under the UK government scheme via its application website if they have Covid-19 symptoms.People who are aged over 65 and their households can now apply for testing under the UK government scheme via its application website if they have Covid-19 symptoms.
Ms Sturgeon said these tests would also be available for non-key workers who are required to leave home for work, and are showing symptoms.Ms Sturgeon said these tests would also be available for non-key workers who are required to leave home for work, and are showing symptoms.
However, she added: "I stress there shouldn't be many people in this group."However, she added: "I stress there shouldn't be many people in this group."
Similar changes were announced in England earlier in the week by UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, but had not applied to testing centres in Scotland.Similar changes were announced in England earlier in the week by UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, but had not applied to testing centres in Scotland.
Antibody tests
The tests currently being offered are PCR tests, which can tell if someone currently has Covid-19.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the technology was now available to carry out antibody testing which will give an indication of how many people have had the disease but perhaps only experienced mild symptoms.
Ms Freeman said work would begin next week at a laboratory in Inverness testing blood samples selected randomly from across the Scottish population.
This work was being carried out for surveillance purposes, she said, to better inform the government's response to the pandemic.
The first minister told the daily briefing she believes Scotland is not yet past the "danger point" of the virus.
She added: "That light at the end of the tunnel is there but we'll only keep it there if we keep doing the things that we're asking people to do."