How to get a Covid test
A new variant of coronavirus is sweeping across the UK, with reports that this new strain of the virus transmits up to 70 per cent faster. On 20 December health secretary Matt Hancock said the developing situation was "deadly serious".
Testing will be critical in tracking the virus in the coming weeks. Since 16 March the World Health Organisation has been telling countries with Covid-19 to “test, test, test” for the virus. As well as implementing strict social distancing measures and lockdown policies, experts have said a system of testing and tracking those with the virus is an essential component to recovery.
Testing has been part of the UK’s “five-pillar strategy” to fight the coronavirus since March but it has frequently faced criticism over continued hurdles and problems.
In late March when the government attempted to ramp up supplies of tests, it bought unusable ones; 3.5 million antibody tests turned out to be ineffective and unusable, a situation health secretary Matt Hancock described as “frustrating”.
On 1 May the government hit its target of 100,000 daily tests (a number Germany had been hitting since the start of April) and even this was subject to criticism as the government faced accusations it had “moved the goalposts” by including stats for as-yet incomplete home tests.
A month later NHS healthcare leaders were warned there was still no “immediate prospect” of mass NHS staff testing and even those who were tested faced the prospect of an incorrect test as care minister Helen Whately confirmed they “weren’t effective enough” to be certain.
On 3 August, one of the biggest advances in testing so far was announced, with the government saying it will roll out 90-minute tests for both Covid-19 and flu across hospitals, care homes and laboratories.
So who is eligible for a test and what can you expect to happen if you get one?
Who can get a test?
Anyone in the UK with symptoms of coronavirus (a fever, persistent new cough, loss of taste and/or smell) can now be tested for the virus.
Those who don’t have symptoms may also be offered a test. Those who work in a care home, in a or hospital or attend a university/ school or those about to have an operation may also be eligible for a free test.
Residents in high-risk areas may also be able to go for a free test, regardless if they have symptoms or not, and if there are community testing sites in your area. Liverpool currently offers coronavirus tests for the symptomless, as do some boroughs in London with high rates of infection, including Waltham Forest and Redbridge. Sunderland and other places around the UK also offer symptom-free tests. Check with your local authority to see if this is a service they offer.
It is also possible to register for a coronavirus home test kit, which must be registered and posted, and the results will be sent to you.
Those who have just come from a high-risk country or about to travel abroad are not eligible for a test. You are also not allowed a free test if your employer has requested one, you may purchase a private test.
How do I book for a test?
On the government website there is an NHS test checking function, which shows you if you are eligible for a free test. Those with symptoms are always eligible. Those in other circumstances should use the test checker. If you have symptoms, get a test as soon as possible. Testing sites around the UK are open seven days a week. If you are unable to travel to a test centre, you can order a home kit.
Tests are most effective within five days of your symptoms developing. The ideal time is within three days of symptoms first showing. On the eighth day of having symptoms (England only), you must use a test centre as home kits will take too long to process. On the fifth day of having symptoms (Scotland and Wales), you must use a test centre. Those who can not get a test online can call 119 to arrange a test, or 0300 303 2713 in Scotland.
For people in England there are several choices for testing: you can either go to a drive-through centre or a walk-in centre, where you may administer the test or someone will administer the test for you. In order to go to a regional centre, the government says you or someone you live with must have a car to use.
With at-home test kit the tools will be delivered to your door and you can administer the test yourself in the privacy of your home. You will be asked to complete an identity check to get the test sent out.
You can order a test for up to three other people.
If you are getting a test because you have symptoms, you and all the people you live with muse self-isolate until you get the results of the test. Self-isolating also applies to the people in your support bubble.
What happens in the test?
The coronavirus test is not the same as the antibody test.
The coronavirus test is an antigen test and tests if you currently have Covid-19, whereas the antibody test is to establish whether you have previously had the virus.
The free coronavirus test involves taking a swab of the nose and back of the throat – this can be done by the person themselves or by someone else. The test is done using a long cotton bud.
An antibody test requires a sample of blood rather than a swab from the throat. These have not yet been made accessible to the public. Free antibody tests are currently only available for people who work in primary care.
If you are having the coronavirus swab test done at a drive-through service you need to all arrive in the same vehicle and sit next to a window in the vehicle.
You are not allowed to ride a motorbike to a drive-through test site.
If you have booked an at-home test, you can watch this official tutorial to show you how to administer the test to yourself.
How do I get my results?
You will receive your test results by text message. The government says most people will receive a response the next day, but it can take up to three days.
While you wait for your results you (and anyone you live with or bubble with) must continue to self-isolate.
If your test turns out to be negative you can safely return to work as long as you are well enough, have not had a high temperature for 48 hours and anyone you live with also tests negative for Covid-19.
If your test is positive and you have no symptoms you should self-isolate for 10 days from when you took the test. If your test is positive and you develop symptoms days after the result, you should self isolate for 10 days from when you started getting symptoms
