New COVID test centre opens in Bo'ness after spike in positive cases

Residents should get a test, whether they have symptoms or not, Forth Valley NHS has said.

This follows a sharp increase in positive Covid cases in the area.

The test centre at Bo'ness Recreation Centre on Gauze Road will be there for at least three days, and can accommodate up to 220 tests a day.

All appointments must be booked in advance.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said: “It is concerning to see a particular spike in positive cases in Bo’ness.

"Deploying the temporary test centre can help the NHS to identify cases and prevent the spread of the virus further.

“We would urge anyone in the town to make an appointment as soon as possible and to get checked out – the test does not take long, and results can be expected in a matter of days.

“We’re all working together to try and prevent the spread of this virus and testing is a really important part of this approach.”

Dr Graham Foster, Director of Public Health, NHS Forth Valley, said: “We have seen a sharp increase in the number of positive cases in the Bo’ness area over the festive period and evidence of spread within the local community.

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“I would therefore encourage local people to get tested even if they currently feel well as some people can have Covid-19 without displaying any of the common symptoms.”

Here's what you have to do:

Anyone who lives or works in Bo’ness can make an appointment via the GOV.UK website or by calling 0300 303 2713.

Residents do not have to be displaying symptoms of COVID-19 to make an appointment (select the option ‘my local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’ when booking a test).

Appointments will only be released each evening for the following morning and in the morning for appointments that afternoon.

People are asked not to turn up at the testing centre without booking an appointment in advance.

Anyone attending should also wear a face mask or covering and observe rules on physical distancing by staying at least two metres apart.

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