I can’t get a test, ANYWHERE! Help!

[Fast90]

Hi all,

My DS is showing some symptoms of Covid - he’s got a new cough and has a slightly raised temperature. He’s also got cold symptoms not generally associated with Covid (such as sneezing). Even so, I know we need to isolate and get him tested.

I’m trying to get hold of one for him but am just being faced with the ‘no test sites found’ message on the gov website. I can’t get a home test kit either. This is just absolutely ludicrous but without descending into a rant about this, I’m just wondering if anyone has any firsthand experience or inside info about how/ when new tests are released?

I’m a front line worker (nurse) and DP is a manager of an engineering firm he’s trying to keep afloat. We need to avoid 2 weeks of isolation at all costs.

Thanks I’m advance

[SeekingCoffee33]

Keep refreshing and test both drive in and walk In. They release them throughout the day. You may also be allowed to just walk in without an appointment

[ChestyNut]

@Fast90 if we have someone in household with symptoms our trust test them. I’m not sure if all trusts do this?

[underneaththeash]

I tried all day on Thursday (including getting up in the middle of the night and logging on every hour during the day). On Friday, gave up and paid £200 for a private one. We still haven't had the result though so we're currently stuck in the house.

[QueenMabby]

I’ve been trying to get one for our dd who has a temp and slight cough. Nothing all day yesterday but this morning about 7.30 managed to order a postal test. Just keep trying I guess?

[Maryann1975]

I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to resist breaking in to a rant about this, so I think you e done really well! How did the government not see this coming! Everyone in education knows that the first couple of weeks back to school are germ ridden and the majority have a cold/cough/some kind of viral infection. How Did they not increase capacity to deal with this! I know so many dc who are off waiting for tests, meanwhile their bubbles are going about as normal, potentially infected even more people should the original test come back as positive.
There you go, I‘Ve had your rant for you. I fear this won’t be the only time I rant about this issue today either!

[MrsHookey]

I cannot get one either. I'm seeing the same message.

[VioletCharlotte]

@Fast90 have you spoken to your Trust? We've just reintroduced testing for frontline staff and their families as it was becoming a real issue.

[RhubarbAndMustard]

Have just been through the same for my DS. Started applying on Friday about 4pm, finally got one at 8am this morning. I think they release some at 8am so I logged on at 7:50 and just kept refreshing the page. It finally popped up.

I think some people are just going to give up and send their kids back to school which is going to be a disaster. Absolute shitshow.

[MrsHookey]

I've been offered one now which is a 50 mile return journey. Sod that.

[Froginaboginasmock]

Same!

[Bathroom12345]

Trying to get one. Says home tests are available. By the time I fill in everyone’s details and I am quick they have all gone. Every single
sodding time.

[waryandbored]

Same problem here - it’s saying no test centres. I have been trying all night as my cough kept me up anyway. I’m a teacher and have only been back at work for 7 days. Gutted to have to have time off so soon.

[Oblomov20]

It's so poor isn't it?

[Bathroom12345]

Yep. Will give up and end up spreading. Typical civil servant form. Far too many questions and then suddenly the kits aren’t available!

[lifesalongsong]

Have a look at recent threads in this topic, this has been posted loads and I've read lots of tips and information from other posters trying to do the same, some might be a help to you.

I think the threads are quite easy to find, similar titles to this one

Good luck

[Crystalknobs]

It’s no help to you right now but I’d get on to my MP , bloody ridiculous situation.

[Chocolatedeficitdisorder]

I guess that you're all in England?

I'm in Scotland, we have no issues getting tests.

[Bathroom12345]

When it says no more home tests? Should I just keep refreshing that page? Are my answers already saved?

[Adelais]

I think all you can do is keep trying. I’ve booked one for dd for 4pm today at our nearest testing centre but it took me 4 attempts.

[TSSDNCOP]

I did a 100 mile round trip yesterday. Ridiculous but worth it.

My bigger worry is that I didn't do it right. If that's the case I'm booking private in the morning.

[Bathroom12345]

Four attempts! I am probably on my 20th!!

[Purplewithred]

I think we're all coming to realise that 2 weeks in isolation is going to happen to most of us at some stage. There just isn't enough testing capacity to cope with the completely predictable back-to-school cold and fresher's flu season.

Personally I think testing should only be available to key workers for a bit and the rest of us will just have to accept the inevitable.

[pintsizeprincess]

I don't know if I was just lucky to try online for a test when they were releasing slots but I went on just after 10 today and it gave a few choices for slots. The first ones came up over 100 miles away but I kept clicking back and forth between walk in and drive through and the next time it offered slots at drive test centres within 20 miles.. Could have just possibly been very lucky but I was hoping that might mean that someone at the top had been listening and the booking probs were finally fixed. Keep clicking back and forth and hopefully you will strike lucky soon .

[TSSDNCOP]

@Chocolatedeficitdisorder you say that now, but the only tests being offered in the SE at the moment are in Inverness so get yours while you can cos we're coming (or should that be Cumming as it will involve carloads of sick people driving hundreds of miles).

[mrshoho]

Not personal experience but a work colleague took her Son to a local testing site without a pre booked appointment and they tested him there. The web page was saying nothing available but she said the test site appeared v quiet when they got there. This is NW London area.