Test result UNCLEAR.

[Alwaystwomagpies]

Did you get this and if so how long between testing and result?

Seems like lots of delayed results (>5 days) are being reported as unclear and suggest get another test.

Interested to know if anyone got an unclear result quickly or if it simply means test has sat round too long to test or been lost?

[ViciousJackdaw]

I have not had a test but my guess is that they simply didn't get enough cells (or whatever it is they need) from the swab. A bit like when you get a recall for your smear.

[Alwaystwomagpies]

They are looking for the virus though so absence should be a negative test

Seems to be only occurring where test results have been very delayed suggesting the sample degrades so it’s unusable or they have lost it.

[Pippioddstocking]

12 days for my " unclear " result to come through

[Tikiboob]

Unclear can mean they lost the swab or just didn't have enough to test it was contaminated with blood or skin cells

[creaturcomforts]

I'm about to do my test, can anyone tell me about how long it takes for the results to come in usually? Or does it just vary?

[AMBE123]

Took them 14 days to send my test result back and I got 'unclear'. However other people went to the same test centre on the same day, and also got their results on the same day as I did (ie also a 14 day wait) and theirs were negative.
Hope that helps a bit. ..

[MinesaBottle]

The results are more accurate if you’re tested during the first five days of symptoms, so if it’s done after that maybe there isn’t enough material there for a conclusive result?

[creaturcomforts]

Thank you for the info, I can't go back to work without the all clear and am not paid when I'm not working as I'm an agency carer. I took a home test so I'm imagining it could be a couple of weeks before I get the results.

[OneInEight]

What is the point of having a test is the result takes fourteen days??? Presumably by then you have either recovered or are in hospital because you are one of the unlucky ones who gets it very severely. It would be far more effective do do less tests and get the results back in less than 24 hours then people would know if they need to isolate or not.

[AMBE123]

OneinEight, and Creature Comforts, the result is only meant to take 2-3 working days. At the beginning of May they had a huge backlog and sent thousands to the US to be tested, I suspect mine was among those. I don't know what the backlog is at the moment, it's probably a lot better.
When I called to chase they told me they are all tested within 2 days but the results might take longer. As I understand from Prof. Google, the test involves trying to grow more of the virus from the sample over a period of time. They look for 2 pieces of genetic code and if they find both its a positive result, if they find none it's negative. If they find one piece of code it's unclear.
For me, I think I had it a month beforehand but got a rash and sore throat a month later, by which time tests were available. I think it was probably old or degraded virus hanging around in my nose.
I have ordered an antibody test to get a more conclusive result.

[LandlockedBlues]

I waited 12 days for a result and it was unclear.

[BlackCatJourney]

We are being tested at work now(NHS) its voluntary of course. Every one I know whose had it have got the results back in 24 hours. All have been negative so far.