'Issues' with Scotland's Covid testing following weekend of high demand
Some people have been directed to testing centres in England and Northern Ireland
It’s emerged there have been issues with the coronavirus test booking system in Scotland, due to a weekend of exceptionally high demand.
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed some people in Scotland had been wrongly directed to testing centres in England.
Officials are looking into the cause of the problems, which the First Minister said may be a UK-wide phenomenon.
She added that the testing system was “working well” and asked people to “bear with us” as the issues were resolved.
Asked about the problems at the Scottish Government's regular coronavirus briefing, Ms Sturgeon said: “I am aware of some issues with the booking system this morning.
“We have seen exceptional testing demand over the weekend and therefore we are looking right now at how we ensure that demand is properly and appropriately managed.”
She said officials were still looking into the issues, but people in Scotland may have been “erroneously” directed to testing centres in England rather than the next available slot in Scotland.
The First Minister continued: “Our testing system is obviously working, it's working well, but as demand increases or at periods of high demand bear with us as we resolve and understand any particular issues.”
Anecdotal accounts suggested many parents were taking their children to be tested after they developed coughs, she said.
The First Minister added: “We're going into a part of the year when people could have other illnesses and viruses that present with similar symptoms to Covid.
“So we expect to see demand for testing increasing as we go into the autumn and winter and there will undoubtedly be peaks in that demand period.”
Dr Gregor Smith, Scotland's interim chief medical officer, said it was not uncommon to see more cases of coughs or colds as children returned to school after the summer.
He told the briefing: “I think it's inevitable that as you bring people back together, particularly as you restart schools, you get a rebound in the volume of respiratory symptoms.
“As a GP for many years, this was very common whenever schools went back.”
He said anyone with coronavirus symptoms should immediately book a test and self-isolate.
Those who are not showing symptoms should only book a test if they have been advised to do so by the Test and Protect team, he added.
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