Falkirk households asked to follow Test and Protect advice

From this week every household will be sent details of the Test and Protect service.

People with symptoms – which include a new, persistent cough, high temperature or loss or change in taste or smell – are being urged to book a test immediately as part of the national effort to continue to supress the virus.

Those who test positive will be asked to confidentially provide information to NHS Scotland contact tracers on the people they’ve been in close contact with. Those then contacted will be asked to isolate for 14 days to reduce the risk of the virus spreading, and told how to request a test if symptoms develop during this time.

The Scottish Government has said that Test and Protect is “the next important step in fighting coronavirus”, and people across the country are being asked to take these necessary steps to break the chains of transmission as lockdown restrictions slowly change.

The leaflet also provides information on how families and households can plan for being asked to isolate immediately, and the support that is available.

Dr Graham Foster, NHS Forth Valley’s Director of Public Health said: “Test and Protect plays a vital role in protecting all of us by helping to break the chains of coronavirus transmission and it can only work if everyone plays their part.

“If you suspect you have symptoms, you need to book a test right away, because the quicker the virus can be identified, the better chance there is of stopping it spreading.”

People can book a test at nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or call 0800 028 2816 if they can’t get online.

Dr Foster added: “Please keep the leaflet handy and follow the step-by-step guidance. It’s important to think about the practicalities of you and your household needing to isolate immediately. So please make a plan now.

“For this to work, we need your help. Taking these steps, along with physical distancing, good cough and hand hygiene, and wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, will help keep the virus under control and allow us to continue to emerge from lockdown.”

Information on additional support when isolating can be found at www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus.

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