A Swab Centre in Luqa’s Industrial Estate was opened today to check anyone with possible symptoms of Coronavirus.

Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci said that this is another step that the health authorities are taking in ensuring the best measures are taken for a possible outbreak.

“We are carrying out tests on people who have respiratory symptoms or have travelled to infected areas around the world,” she told the media.

“The number of people that we are swabbing has been on the increase so we are taking the necessary measures so that we can carry out more tests on people. Previously, we have had GPs going to patients’ homes to swab them but we need to start working more efficiently.”

She thanked the Foundation for Social Welfare Services for helping the authorities find a place that is central for the majority, has sufficient parking and is cut off from populated areas.

The centre is equipped with the right infection control so that workers are also protected, she said.

“The way this works is that people who call for assistance or are referred to by a general practitioner, will be sent to this place where doctors will do the swabbing tests. The patient can then return home and wait for a result while the swab will be taken to Mater Dei for testing,” Gauci explained.

Seven people can be swabbed at the same time and only people who have had their preliminary testing through the helpline or through a GP will be referred to this establishment.

There will still be a mobile team that will go to people’s homes for swabbing in cases where people cannot access the centre.