Maybole’s asymptomatic Covid testing unit closes as healthcare staff withdraw to other sites

A Ayrshire Covid testing unit for asymptomatic people closed after staff redeployed elsewhere

The Maybole Town Hall test center – the only center available to residents of South Ayrshire – will close for a week.

Those who need a test for the coronavirus and show no symptoms will instead need to visit sites in north and east Ayrshire.

Asymptomatic test sites (ATS) are available at Bridgegate, Irvine, Boswell Center in Auchinleck, and Rose Reilly Sports Center, Stewarton.

Test kits are also available from participants community pharmacies and online.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran confirmed the urgent update this morning.

A statement from the board of health read: ‘Staff from the ATS sites have been redeployed to alternative testing sites across Ayrshire and Arran in response to local demand, as needed.

“Residents of Ayrshire can visit any other location; take a test at participating community pharmacies; or request that a test be delivered to their home.”

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it comes after Ayrshire Live revealed that more than 50 NHS Ayrshire & Arran staff are self-isolating.

Six staff members have tested positive while 45 are in isolation at home.

Council workers have also been hit by Covid with hundreds currently on work stoppage in the three local authorities.

Lynne McNiven, NHS Ayrshire & Arran Public Health Director, said: ‘Testing will help us identify more cases of the virus and give us all a better chance of preventing it from spreading.

“It is important that you are tested regularly, ie twice a week.

“This is really important if you are a key worker and need to go to work. Even if you have been vaccinated, it is still important to get tested regularly, especially if you are visiting a loved one in the hospital or in a nursing home, or if you are traveling to a Scottish island.

Testing centers open to people without the symptoms are:

North Ayrshire

From Thursday July 8 to Wednesday July 21:

Unit 24, Bridgegate, Irvine, KA12 8BJ

East Ayrshire

From Friday July 2 to Thursday July 15:

The Boswell Center, Well Road, Auchinleck, KA18 2LA

From Friday July 16 to Thursday July 29:

Rose Reilly Sports Center, 2 chemin Kilwinning, Stewarton, KA3 3DN

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