New Message from NHS Borders Received today Wednesday 27th January:
Media Information from NHS Borders: 26 January 2021
Covid-19 testing rolls out to West Linton
Tomorrow (i.e.today 27th January) the Covid-19 community testing programme will be rolled out further in the Borders to cover West Linton. Anyone living or working in West Linton and surrounding areas can now book a test for Covid-19, even if they are not showing symptoms of the virus. Testing will be available over the next fortnight from the Mobile Testing Unit located at the Graham Institute on Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 January and Tuesday 2 & Wednesday 3 February. Appointments must be booked in advance. Next day appointments are available for booking from 6pm daily.
Dr Tim Patterson, Director of Public Health, said: “We have seen an increase in the number of positive cases in West Linton and surrounding areas over the last few weeks and there is evidence of Covid-19 spreading within these local communities. “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 .
“Please protect yourself and others – take this opportunity to get tested and remember to stick to the Scottish Government rules, stay at home and follow the FACTS:
· Face coverings in enclosed spaces
· Avoid crowded places
· Clean hands and surfaces regularly
· Two metre distancing; and
· Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
“Covid-19 thrives on human contact if you do not mix with others you cannot catch or spread Covid. This is especially pertinent as evidence suggests that around a third of people with Covid-19 show no symptoms so they do not know that they are carrying or spreading this deadly virus.
“Being tested is a quick process and the more people who get tested, the more easily we can help stop the virus from spreading even more. So we’d urge anyone living in West Linton and the surrounding areas to make an appointment as soon as possible.
Appointments can be made 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 (they should 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. Once appointments are fully booked the testing centre will not appear online as a venue option or be available for call handlers to book; however new appointments are released each morning and evening so if there is no availability please check online or call back later.
Please do not attend the test centre without booking an appointment in advance. Anyone attending should also wear a face mask or covering and observe the rules on physical distancing by staying at least two metres apart.
The test centre is located at the Graham Institute, Lower Green, West Linton, EH46 7EW.
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Key points from the First Minister’s announcement re the lockdown which started yesterday are as follows:
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- By law, everyone must stay at home as much as possible.
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- You can leave your home only if you have a reasonable excuse to or if it is for an essential purpose.
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- There is no limit on how many times you can leave home to exercise.
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- Adults can only meet one other person from another household outside.
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- Everyone must work from home where possible.
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- Those who were previously shielding are being advised not to go in to work.
- More non-essential shops including showrooms must shut.
There are three new messages from Scottish Borders regarding the new lockdown. Click on the links, and the PDF documents will either appear in a new tab or in your Downloads folder
Covid-19 – Shielding – Lockdown CMO letter for children FINAL 5 Jan 2021
Covid-19 – Shielding – Lockdown fit note for adults FINAL 5 January 2021
Covid-19-Shielding- LA Engagement- Lockdown Level 4 – QA Jan 2021