Been sent a COVID testing kit ?

[Jinglebellsrocktonigjt]

All the way through the pandemic we were never sent testing kits. I picked them up from the chemist. My husband is classed as CEV so we were, and are , careful . Today we have been sent a random testing kit wtf? has anyone else? . I am aware that COVID hasn't gone away,but why have we been sent testing kits when even in the height of the pandemic we didn't?

You too? I'm CEV and received one on Tuesday, was quite surprised, as I've not ordered it.

@HelpMeGetThrough We both have bad colds at the moment, never thought about COVID strange about the testing kits though

Maybe the government had them stock-piled and are getting rid of them.

I got one too. I’ve never been classed as CEV. I had radiotherapy 5 years ago and the NHS has suddenly decided I’m higher risk.

I've just read on another thread that if you you have a face to face appointment that that's why. My husband has an ' overhaul ' in person appointment soon so maybe that's why

I had an email about a week ago saying I would be sent one due to my being CEV. There are apparently treatments CEV people are eligible for if we test positive so tests have been sent to anyone listed as CEV. No information given on what these treatments are.

There are. I had Covid a month ago and got antiviral medication. Logged my LFT online and was then contacted.

Wonder if I got mine because I've been referred to cardiology and waiting on an appointment from them.

My parents are CEV fully jabbed and vaccinated but have tested positive 5 times this past week. First time they have both had it. Perhaps it's on the increase, not sure you were sent kits out for. Check the date on them.

Some people are eligible for antiviral treatment for COVID.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/pcr-home-testing-for-people-eligible-for-new-covid-19-treatments

I think based on this link that they periodically do a check of people's digital records and if they show you are eligible they send you a box of kits and then once they are used up you can order some more online.

Thanks for the replies, it seems that it's because there are treatments if you test positive and are CEV , interesting. We've not pursued this but looking at it maybe

I think it's worth testing if you are I'll because the AVs have to be given within a certain time frame:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-care-and-treatments-for-coronavirus/treatments-for-coronavirus/#:~:text=Nirmatrelvir%2C%20ritonavir%2C%20remdesivir%20and%20molnupiravir,unsuitable%20for%20them%20to%20take.

It's similar to tamiflu for flu or whatever but they're only available if they think you're at risk, same as you can't just buy tamiflu when you feel like you have a cold.

It's similar to tamiflu for flu or whatever but they're only available if they think you're at risk, same as you can't just buy tamiflu when you feel like you have a cold.

Antiviral I had was called Paxlovid, AM and PM dose of 3 tablets.

Yes, apologies I should have been clearer that it's not that, that's just a common antiviral people might have heard of, similar to how you might say something was and antibiotic and had a similar function to penicillin. We would have had a much easier time if existing common antivirals had been effective against COVID!

Thanks everyone we,ll be testing now even though I think it's just a cold . My husband is on methotrexate and stopped taking it when the cold started if I'd have known about this treatment I would have directed him there first

I inject Methotrexate weekly (20mg) and was told to stop when taking the antivirals, but I'd already stopped taking it when I started feel rough, before I tested. Had to stop my biologic too.

HI, Just seen your thread. I have also received a random testing kit today. Can you please tell me what CEV means?

Clinically Extremely Vulnerable

I was never classed as high risk (even though i was only 3 years post cancer surgery) and a frontline worker (nurse) i had covid jan22 after 3 vaccines ( 2 shots over the previous year and a booster) never received any kits through the post ever till today, never been to the Gp since last year and don't plan to or have any other medical appointments so im puzzled (still have a huge box from work in the cupboard for symptoms testing) it was a courier on a Saturday delivery! I didn't order it!

I haven't, but I wish I had! I need a test for flying to a job in Australia and all the centres seem to have closed. I have some NHS ones, which expired a few weeks ago.

It's company policy, rather than Aussie entry requirement.

I've spent hours online and on the phone today. Boots offer them online, so I hope my local one has one in stock...

I was sent a pack randomly as well a couple of weeks back. I hadn’t ordered it either. Not clinically vulnerable either.

Well, Boots had one, so now it's sitting on the printer.