FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has thanked the people of Johnstone for their efforts to help defeat coronavirus.

She praised local residents after it was revealed more than 5,000 of them visited a mass testing clinic based at Johnstone Town Hall over eight days between December 2 and December 9.

Ms Sturgeon said: “That is a good uptake and one that we are pleased about.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came forward for a test and to thank all of the local partners who helped to deliver the trial quickly and safely.”

Johnstone was chosen as the location for Scotland’s first pilot of lateral-flow testing at a fixed site as a result of high rates of Covid-19 infection in recent weeks.

Designed to identify those in the community without any symptoms, the quick and simple swab test was available to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in the town.

Test results were returned in around 45 minutes and anyone found to be positive was asked to complete a follow-up PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to confirm the result, before being provided with support to complete their period of self-isolation.

The testing centre ran for 12 hours each day and was operated by Renfrewshire Council, with more than 100 staff involved.

Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, chair of the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board, said: “I’m so proud of the people of Johnstone for taking part in this pilot as we look to learn more about the virus, how to combat it and stop its transmission.

“More than 5,000 people is a fantastic turnout and the selflessness of local people will help inform future decisions made by the UK and Scottish Government, so we really have played our part in the coronavirus response.

“Thank-you to all that took a test over the eight days and also to the fantastic staff who ran the testing centre safely and efficiently and ensured that the pilot can be considered a success.”

All testing figures, including positive, negative and void tests, have been reported to the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, who will now assess and verify these before publishing a report on the project.

For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test-Johnstone.