New testing centre to open in Fife town

Community testing sites provide testing for members of the public who have no symptoms associated with Covid-19 but who could be infectious and spreading the virus to others unknowingly. The centres also provide confidential support to assist anyone who tests positive and needs to self-isolate, with access to different financial support alongside practical measures, such as food packages.

The Savoy Centre is the fourth pop up community testing site to open in Fife – other sites are currently open at the Maxwell Centre, Cowdenbeath, and the Glebe Centre and Chapel Neighbourhood Centre in Kirkcaldy.

All centres are open for a limited time.

Following the latest review of public health data, the Maxwell Centre site will remain open to the public until March 14, before closing.

Future locations for community testing in Fife are currently being reviewed based on testing need.

Josie Murray, NHS Fife consultant in public health and health protection clinical lead, said: “This is a very agile and flexible programme which is targeted to areas which would benefit most from having access to testing for short periods of time.

“The location of centres is determined by the latest data we have, with a number of factors influencing this including a higher than expected number of cases, low testing uptake in the area, and communities which may be more vulnerable.

“We are all aware that if we have a fever, continuous cough, or loss or change in smell or taste we should get a Covid test, however, getting tested when we don’t have symptoms may not seem like such an obvious thing to do.

“However, we know that one in three people with Covid-19 don’t have symptoms. You can be infectious and unknowingly passing it to others.

“By getting tested at a local community testing site, you can find out if you are positive even when you don’t have symptoms and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus.

“If we can find and isolate more positive cases, that will help us in reducing the spread of Covid-19 to others, and help us to protect our family, friends and the wider community.”

Testing at community testing sites is available to anyone without Covid symptoms who lives locally. Members of the public will be able to access testing on a drop-in basis without the need for an appointment.

Testing is quick and easy with rapid results available. Sites are safe and secure, with strict hygiene measures in place. Staff on-site will support you throughout the testing process.

The Savoy Centre will initially open from 8am-7pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Do not attend if you: have Covid-19 symptoms; are currently self-isolating because you have been identified as a close contact; or have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 90 days.

Community testing sites will be open on a time-limited basis. There will be flexibility as to how long sites remain open based on the latest data and testing uptake.

Further information and updates on the Fife community testing programme is available at – www.nhsfife.org/communitytesting.