A TESTING unit for people who are not showing Covid-19 symptoms could be set up amid concern at growing case numbers in Old Kilpatrick, councillors have heard.

But it’s likely that the facility won’t be located in the village itself but in nearby Bowling.

A proposal to install four booths at Bowling Public Hall for “asymptomatic” testing was mentioned by West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) chief executive Joyce White at a full council meeting last week.

The meeting heard that the rate of cases in West Dunbartonshire was 234 per 100,000 people – lower than the Scotland rate of 259.

Since July there have been 55 Covid-19 deaths registered in West Dunbartonshire Council.

A walk-through Covid testing centre for those with symptoms of the disease opened at the Napier Hall in Old Kilpatrick in October.

Ms White told councillors on January 7: “In terms of wave two planning, a significant staff bank has been created with qualified staff volunteering as vaccinators.

“We have been invited to develop a light proposal over community testing.

“This was received by local authorities in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area within certain identifiable zones where there elevated case numbers.

“Old Kilpatrick was the sole area in West Dunbartonshire identified as having sufficiently elevated case numbers to meet the criteria for the asymptomatic test site.

“It is anticipated that there will be a delivery of kits for anyone that falls into the shielding category.

“We are putting forward a recommendation that we would propose the Bowling Hall which we believe would be suitable for four booths for the provision of testing.”