A new Covid-19 testing centre, aimed at identifying positive cases among people showing no symptoms of the virus, opened in Musselburgh on Friday 30th April.

Almost 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 don’t have any of the usual symptoms but can still be infectious and pass on COVID-19 to loved ones, friends and others in the community.

By getting tested – even if they feel fine – people from across East Lothian can help break chains of transmission in their local area.

The new community testing facility, funded by the Scottish Government, is located at the former Stoneyhill Community Centre. The opening hours will be Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm. No appointment is required.

The address is: 5 Stoneyhill Farm Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6RN

The facility, which is open to all East Lothian residents without symptoms, is expected to stay open for several months and is complemented by the deployment of mobile test units across several local communities. Getting tested is quick and easy and staff are on hand to help those attending.

People can also order free lateral flow home test kits to test themselves twice-weekly. More information is online.

Sharon Saunders, Head of Communities, East Lothian Council:

“The launch of this new facility for the people of East Lothian is another significant step in helping build on progress to suppress the spread of COVID-19 across our communities and move to an even less restrictive way of life”.

“It’s great news that more and more people have been receiving vaccinations. But the reality is that the COVID-19 does still present a significant risk and it’s possible to have and be spreading the virus without knowing it. Getting tested – even if you’ve received your vaccination – means you can find out if you are positive, and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus to others by self-isolating”.

“Please do your bit to help to reduce transmission of the virus”.

“We only want people to get tested at this facility if they have no Covid-19 symptoms. This is really important, so if you have any of the main Covid-19 symptoms – a fever (high temperature), a new, continuous cough or loss of taste and/or smell – please book a test immediately at a different location via https://www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect”

 Q&A

What happens at the test?

The facility at Stoneyhill and the mobile units are safe and secure and follow the strictest hygiene and cleaning guidelines. Staff will support and guide you throughout your visit.

When you attend a site please ensure that you are wearing a face covering and continue to follow physical distancing guidance.

The test you are taking is called a lateral flow test. You will be asked to register using your mobile phone. If you don’t have a phone, you will be assisted to register.

You will be directed to a booth where you will get instructions on how to take the test.  Staff are on hand to help. A swab is put into a tube and taken away by a member of staff to be analysed.

After you have taken the test please return to your home or car and stay there until you receive your test results. Please do not go shopping to carry out any other activities until you receive your test results.

You will receive your results approximately 45 minutes after you take the test.

If you don’t have a mobile phone, a member of staff will ask you to wait in a designated area. Please wait here until a member of staff tells you your results.

What happens if the test results are negative?

This would mean that you are not carrying the virus at that time but please continue to follow the public FACTS public health guidance and any other relevant protection measures in place in the local area.

What happens if the test results are positive?

You need to take what is called a PCR test to confirm your positive test results. A PCR test is considered the most accurate test for detection infection. You can arrange this through the NHS Inform website:

Or alternatively by telephoning 0300 303 2713.

You will be advised to attend for a PCR test at the appropriate location for the local area (this will not be Stoneyhill, which is for asymptomatic testing only). In the meantime, you will need to self-isolate other than to attend for your PCR test.

If your PCR test is then positive, you must self-isolate for 10 days from the date you receive the result of your PCR test. NHS Test and Protect will then contact you and ask you to identify any close contacts you may have been in touch with. Everyone in your household and any other close contacts will need to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of your PCR test.

What happens if the test results are void?

You will need to take what is called a PCR test. A PCR test is considered the most accurate test for detection infection. You can arrange this through the NHS Inform website:

Or alternatively by telephoning 0300 303 2713.

You will be advised to attend for a PCR test at the appropriate location for the local area (this will not be Stoneyhill, which is for asymptomatic testing only). In the meantime, you will need to self-isolate other than to attend for your PCR test.

How can I get tested if I’m not able to visit the facility in Musselburgh?

Mobile test units are currently being deployed in local communities. You can take a rapid test at one of the mobile units. View the current schedule here.

Alternatively, you can also order free lateral flow home test kits test. More information is online.

What should I do if I do have symptoms of COVID-19?

As the Stoneyhill facility is for asymptomatic testing only, if you have symptoms of COVID make an appointment elsewhere through the NHS Inform website:

Self-help guide: Access to testing for coronavirus | NHS inform

Or telephone: 0300 303 2713

The phone line is available between 7 am and 11 pm Mon – Sunday

If you have tested positive for COVID, you must self isolate.

If you need general advice (not Health advice), advice on self-isolation support grants, assistance with food or assistance with fuel poverty either:

• Access the Council webpages:  Coronavirus/COVID-19 | East Lothian Council
• Email: publicinformation@eastlothian.gov.uk
• Phone our helpline: 01875 824300

Other helpful telephone numbers:

• East Lothian Council               01620 827827
• 24 hour emergency line          01875 612818
• Emergency Social Work          0800 731 6969

Pop-up police event on Saturday 17th April 2021:

Garvald, outside the Village Hall between 1000-1045 hours 

This is an opportunity for locals to engage with officers, and/or report matters or concerns, without the need to attend at a station.

There will be local, pop-up police events on Saturday 17th April 2021:

Garvald, outside the Village Hall between 1000-1045 hours 

Humbie Hub between 1115 – 1200 hours

This is an opportunity for locals to engage with officers, and/or report matters or concerns, without the need to attend at a station.

PC Colin Boyd

Haddington and Lammermuir Community Officer

Haddington Police Station

Information from Sandy Baptie – ELC:

Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people, so do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.

If you find a single dead bird of prey, gull or wildfowl species (particularly wild geese, wild ducks, swans), or find five or more birds of any other species in the same location and at the same time, please report these incidents to Defra’s national telephone helpline (03459 33 55 77 – please select option 7).

 How should dead wild birds found on private property be disposed of?

If birds do not require reporting to the GB Dead Wild Bird Helpline, follow this advice for their disposal.

Disposal in household or municipal waste refuse:

• If possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling dead wild birds (if disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove). When the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied. It should then be placed in a second plastic bag, tied and disposed of in the normal household waste (lidded bin outside).
• Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag.
• Tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag.
• Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of it in the normal household refuse bin.

Burial:

• The dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag.
• The depth of the burial hole must be sufficient to prevent animals scavenging and gaining access to it – at least 60cm deep is advised.
• Location must not be near any watercourses, or likely to contaminate local water supplies.

If you find a deceased raptor/corvid that you believe to be the victim of wildlife crime, do not touch the bird. This will help preserve any evidence of a potential crime scene. Also, the dead bird may contain poisons that can be absorbed into the skin or contaminate the environment. Please contact the police on 101 and ask if the matter can be referred to a Wildlife Crime Officer. There is more information on the Police Scotland website Alternatively, the incident can be reported anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Report an injured animal to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) in Scotland. Phone: 03000 999 999 – information about call charges is available.

Further information is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/pages/dead-or-sick-wild-birds-what-to-do/