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LARGS could soon become home to a mobile coronavirus testing facility as opposed to a permanent one – if infection rates in the area rise.
Councillor Tom Marshall has been in talks with North Ayrshire Council bosses regarding locals’ concerns around tracking the virus and distance locals are having to travel for tests.
Council leader Joe Cullinane has already expressed dismay at the nearest facility being based at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock or a drive-through operation at Prestwick Airport.
Cllr Marshall said: “”I had a chat with the chief executive Craig Hatton this week and he tells me that we are going to be offered a mobile testing unit. If there are outbreaks in specific areas the mobile testing centre can be sent to that specific place.
“As far as I am aware the health board does not plan to set up a permanent Covid-19 test centres in Largs. Infection rates for our area are quite low compared to elsewhere – and hopefully that continues.”
Councillor Marshall also praised local authority bosses for keep the area in Tier 3 of lockdown restrictions.
He added: “Praise must go to the chief executive and the council leader who argued their case well to the Scottish Government, especially as the other two Ayrshire regions were placed in Tier 4.
“The rate locally has been quite steady and has been showing signs of dropping.”
Council leader Joe Cullinane recently told the News he had contacted the NHS to push for more localised test centres in the district.
Mr Cullinane explained that the reason the two hospitals – Crosshouse and Ailsa in Ayr – had been selected for test centres was because of their close proximity to emergency health departments if deemed necessary.
Home testing kits are also available, delivered and collected by Amazon and Royal Mail.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Testing under the UK programme in Scotland is currently conducted in drive-through sites operating at airports including Glasgow Airport and Prestwick Airport
“There are also a number of mobile testing units which will be located in towns across for short periods each time. ”
