Question reference: S6W-00662
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 15 June 2021
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 29 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the PCR testing capacity in Glasgow has been utilised on each day since 1 May 2021.
Answer
Scotland’s daily PCR test capacity is over 66,000 per day. This is made up of a combination of the aggregate capacity of all testing sites/facilities and distribution/collection services where individuals can get a test, and laboratory capacity to process the samples taken.
As set out in our updated Testing Strategy, published on 22 June, testing is key to quickly identifying and isolating positive cases to break chains of transmission within a community. The testing system is designed to be completely flexible so neither sampling nor laboratory capacity is allocated to a specific local authority area. We work with Public Health Scotland to provide local decision makers with insights and data to target tests where they are most needed. We are also helping to maximise existing testing interventions at the request of local incident management teams (IMT). Local authorities’ testing response will vary as their approaches will be targeted to meet the needs of their communities.
Details of the daily number of tests carried out and number of positive cases in the Glasgow area are available from the Public Health Scotland dashboard.