Scottish Government must use full testing capacity
The Scottish Government must explain why less than 50% of the coronavirus testing capacity available in Scotland has been used over the last four days says Scottish Greens Parliamentary Co-Leader Alison Johnstone MSP.
Figures reported for Sunday 5th April revealed that 2345 tests were reported for the previous day. As this is the highest figure reported to date it is assumed this is the capacity. In the subsequent four days the Scottish Government has reported 893, 986, 1244 and 1252 tests, suggesting that just 46% of testing capacity has been used.
Alison Johnstone MSP said:
“Considerable efforts have been made to increase coronavirus testing capacity in Scotland. On Sunday a record 2345 tests took place. It’s concerning that since then figures suggest that the government has used less than 50% of this capacity.
“Frontline NHS staff and carers, police officers and firefighters need to be tested. It’s one thing to claim that capacity has to be built up, but quite another to fail to use half of the capacity you do have available.
“The Health Secretary must urgently explain why the capacity is not being used and what plans she has in place to address this.”