ABERDEEN-based TAC Healthcare Group has started using new Covid-19 test kits which can produce results in 12 minutes.
Thirty of the new testing instruments are being used to deliver “even faster and accurate results” to individuals in the oil and gas, maritime and sports sectors, including players from Aberdeen Football Club at its testing facility in Dyce.
The company said it was among the first worldwide to deploy the new “lab-in-a-box” style kits from UK-based life sciences company LumiraDx.
TAC is now carrying out more than 4000 tests per week for offshore workers – compared to 100 tests a week at the start of the pandemic.
Ken Park, clinical director, said: “When the pandemic first hit offshore, operators dropped down to minimum safe manning levels, so there were far less people being tested. We are seeing things starting to get back to normal and have ramped up our testing capability accordingly.
“By offering accurate testing in minutes, we have a greater opportunity to avoid sending potential carriers onto an asset or vessel where, in those types of an enclosed spaces, the virus could easily spread and cause the whole operation to shut down.
“Previously, workers have had to spend two days in a hotel room by themselves. With this new technology, they can come in for a test from 5.45am and be back at the heliport ready to go offshore, armed with their results, that same morning. It’s far more efficient and cost-effective, as well as being less disruptive for the worker going offshore, as we don’t take away any of their time at home.”
To accommodate the increased demand for its COVID-19 testing services, TAC bought a larger facility in Dyce in July.
Mr Park added: “One of our ambitions is to relieve some of the pressures facing public sector healthcare, which has undoubtedly been put under significant, additional strain by the pandemic.
“Through ground-breaking technologies like this, we are enhancing our existing test capabilities, as well as helping to keep coronavirus out of the North Sea, and providing positive results into the national Test and Protect team.
“In terms of asymptomatic or at-risk testing, we have done more than 48,000 tests to date, and have shared our data with public health. When you are dealing with a new virus like this, that type of information sharing is crucial in building a better understanding of how to respond.”
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