Scotland to receive share of new 90-minute Covid-19 tests
But it's not clear when we'll see the new faster screenings north of the border
The First Minister’s confirmed Scotland will receive a share of new 90-minute coronavirus tests, but it’s not clear when.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care announced faster swab and DNA tests to detect both Covid-19 and flu will be rolled out in hospitals, care homes and laboratories.
Nicola Sturgeon said the breakthrough is “very welcome” and could speed up the country's Test and Protect programme as Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed negotiations with the UK Government mean Scotland will receive a “population share” of the new tests.
Before the tests can be used in Scotland, Ms Freeman said scientists will study their effectiveness and accuracy then compare them with the current polymerase chain reaction tests that aim to produce results within 48 hours.
Asked about the prospect of faster test results, Ms Sturgeon said: “We welcome the announcements around the 90-minute tests.
“We're in discussions with the UK Government - there will be a portion of them for use in Scotland but we are having these discussions right now.
“We will also want to make sure that our own clinical advisers look carefully at the accuracy and the efficacy of these tests but anything that speeds up the diagnosis of Covid-19 and then allows the whole contact tracing procedure to be speeded up is certainly welcome.”
Speaking at the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing on Monday, Ms Freeman said: “We're currently in discussions with the UK Government and we will receive a share - a population share of those tests.
“They certainly offer advantages but we need to be sure - and this is where our clinical and scientific advisers will assist us - that the 90-minute test is as good as the current PCR tests, the one we currently use with the swabs.”
Ms Freeman said the existing test is “particular and focused and reliable”, adding: “The 90-minute test - if it meets that criteria as well - is really helpful to us, particularly as we look towards the autumn and the winter and the flu season when people may be ill from flu or it may be Covid-19 and being able to quickly identify which it is, is clinically important to be able then to treat people in the right way.
“So we'll keep up those conversations are clinical advisers will advise us and as we move on this will make sure that people know.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton urged Ms Freeman to set out when Scots suspected of having Covid-19 will have access to the new, faster testing options.
He said: “Being able to test for both coronavirus and the seasonal flu and have results within 90 minutes could be a huge boost in the battle to contain Covid-19.
“By deploying these machines to care homes and schools, as well as medical facilities, people would be able to get results while they wait, rather than having to wait up to 48 hours for results.”
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