Home   News   Article

Mobile Covid-19 testing unit to visit Elgin Academy


By Jonathan Clark

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

A MOBILE coronavirus testing unit is to arrive at Elgin Academy tomorrow amid rising cases in the school community.

A total of 51 cases of Covid-19 have now been associated with the school since April 10, with more than a quarter of pupils having had to self-isolate.

A letter to parents originally advised that the testing unit would arrive next week but that has been brought forward.

The aim is to identify as many people as possible at the school who have Covid-19, but are asymptomatic, to avoid the spread of the virus.

In a letter, Moray Council's head of education Vivienne Cross urged parents to register their children for testing.

She said: "Due to the increased number of positive cases, particularly at Elgin Academy, I strongly recommend that you register your child or children for testing.

"This may help to identify any further positive cases and stop any potential further spread of Covid-19.

"This will ensure that further disruption to pupils learning at Elgin Academy is minimised and that particularly those pupils who are in senior phase can safely attend school to complete any required assessment to gather evidence for their provisional grades.

"I totally understand that this has been a period of challenge and uncertainty and working with Public Health colleagues, we aim to prevent further spread of Covid-19 through early identification of any positive Covid case, reducing further potential impact on Elgin Academy."

As well as testing pupils and staff during the week, the mobile testing unit (MTU) will be open to the public at the weekend.

MTUs will also be visiting towns and villages around Moray in the coming days. Details on dates and times will be published online shortly.

The testing unit will use PCR tests that require a self-administered nose and throat swab to be taken, in a similar way as for a Lateral Flow Device test.

However, the PCR test is a more accurate test and can more reliably detect tiny amounts of fragments of the Covid-19 virus.

The mobile testing unit is only for those who are asymptomatic and have not recorded a positive Covid-19 test in the last 90 days.

For the latest information on testing in Moray or to book a test visit www.moray.gov.uk/Covid19.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More