Rapid Lateral Flow Devices (LFD) Tests #Covid Update

By theorkneynews on May 21, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Making covid tests easier to access is one of the ways public health are hoping to limit the spread of the highly infectious virus whilst we protect ourselves and others by getting vaccinated.

Everyone in Scotland is now able to access free Lateral Flow Tests (LFD) tests if they have no symptoms.

Who can get a rapid LFD test

You can get rapid lateral flow devices (LFDs) if:

you do not have COVID-19 symptoms
you live in Scotland
you have not been told to self-isolate

You need to be 18 or over to collect or order the test kits. Anyone aged 12 to 17 should ask an adult to collect or order a test kit for them, they should then self-test and report their result under adult supervision. Regular testing for children who go to primary school, or who are younger than primary school age is not recommended.

You should not access rapid LFD tests in this way if:

you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days
you can get tested through your workplace or education setting (ask them for rapid LFD tests)
you need to take a test for international travel

If you are an employer and not part of a testing programme, please encourage your staff to take part in regular testing by ordering their own packs.

Do not use a rapid LFD test if you have COVID-19 symptoms. If you have symptoms you must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test through NHS Inform.

Order online for home delivery

order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests on gov.uk for home delivery

Your order will contain one pack with seven LFD tests inside, and it will be delivered to your home in one to two days. You can only order one pack per household each day.

If you’re ordering for another household in addition to your own household, you should:

complete a separate order
use their personal details including name, address, date of birth and email address

If you cannot place an order online, you can order by calling 119.

Aberdeen University Test Centre

To facilitate the uptake of tests when necessary, members of the public can pick up free Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits from the University of Aberdeen Test Centre from next week ,Monday, May 24.

It means anyone without Covid-19 symptoms who does not already have access to asymptomatic testing in their workplace or community can test themselves.

Each pack contains seven rapid lateral flow device tests that can provide results in around 30 minutes. A positive result means people should self-isolate with their household and order a PCR test to confirm the positive result.

As of 21st of May 2021 the Covid stats for Scotland were as follows:

414 new cases of COVID-19 reported
23,508 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
- 1.9% of these were positive
0 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
4 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
81 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
3,082,251 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 1,769,040 have received their second dose

In Orkney of those aged 50+ 10,103 (96.4%) have had the 1st dose of the covid vaccine and 6,954 (66.4%) have had both doses.

10,109 deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to 16 May

33% of COVID-19 registered deaths related to deaths in care homes, 60% were in hospitals and 7% were at home or non-institutional settings (as at 16 May)

East Renfrewshire currently has the highest case rates in Scotland with 118 weekly cases reported per 100,000 in the week to 17 May, which is a 197% increase from the week to 10 May . It is followed by Glasgow with 112 weekly cases per 100,000, which is a 58% increase from the previous week. There are mostly low levels of cases across Scotland, with moderate and high levels of cases observed across the central belt
State of the Epidemic in Scotland – 21st May 2021

See this for more information

state of the epidemic-scotland 21st 2021 Download

Commenting on the LFD tests available to the public from the University of Aberdeen Test Centre Debbie Dyker, Director of People at the University of Aberdeen said:

“It is important as restrictions begin to ease, that members of the local community are still able to protect themselves and others from the spread of Covid-19.

“It is great that we are now able to offer individuals the opportunity to pick up tests to take away with them to carry out at th.eir own convenience. We know that not everyone has easy access to a test centre or it may not be possible for them to attend twice in a short space of time. It could be that people are beginning to plan social gatherings and so just want some reassurance that they aren’t carrying Covid-19 without even realising.

“We still encourage those who are able to attend the test centre readily to do so for their tests, especially those who are still working or living on campus or in the local community. Individuals can also collect kits for family members so even if you are still being regularly tested on site, it may be you use this service to benefit those who can’t.”

Test kits can be collected from the University of Aberdeen Covid Asymptomatic Testing Centre at the Butchart Centre on University Road from Monday 24 May. The centre is open from 8am – 5pm on Mondays and Thursdays, and from 8am – 2pm on Tuesdays and Friday.

Anyone who wishes to be tested at the centre, can still book an appointment online.

The advice is still to follow FACTS