Scots to get new 90-minute Coronavirus tests

New 90-minute tests for Coronavirus are to be introduced in Scotland as part of a UK-wide scheme, it has been confirmed.

Jeane Freeman says 90 minute tests will have advantages

Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the tests will be important as Winter approaches in helping distinguish between flu and Covid-19 among patients.

The new rapid swab tests, called LamPORE, will be available from next week in adult care settings and laboratories across the UK, with millions more due to be rolled out later in the year.

Ms Freeman said: "We're currently in discussions with the UK Government and we will receive a share, a population share of those tests.

"The important point about them, and they certainly offer advantages, but we need to be sure, and this is where our clinical and scientific advisors will assist us, we need to be sure that the 90-minute test is as good as our PCR tests - the one we currently use for the swabs."

Ms Freeman said the current test is very "particular and focused and reliable."

She added: "The 90 minute test, if it meets that criteria as well, is really helpful to us as well, particularly as we look towards the Autumn and the Winter and the flu season when people may be ill from flu or it may be Covid-19.

"Being able to quickly identify which it is, is clinically important to be able then to treat people in the right way."

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