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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if I can turn up for a Covid test?

32 replies

RollingWithMyGnomie · 13/09/2020 20:10

Really sorry if this has been asked before but I’ve been trying to get a Covid test all weekend for my son and myself.

GOV website keeps saying no tests available and I’ve tried loads of postcodes...

My son is unwell, high fever, lethargy etc. And whilst I know it could be any number of things I’m trying to do the right thing and keep him home. But I can’t get a test!

If we turn up at a testing site will we be seen? And WTF is going on?! We knew this was coming so why do we not have testing capacity?

He has autism and learning difficulties so I can’t really take the risk of prepping him for a test and then it not happening... it’s an absolute joke

OP posts:
Purplewithred · 13/09/2020 20:11

Nope. It’s unlikely they will let you in wiithout the qr code that shows you have a booking. That said, it has worked for some people occasionally locally.

feltpens25 · 13/09/2020 20:13

No, you won’t be seen. They don’t let you on site without a booking. I’m sorry, I hope you can get tested soon

newlabelwriter · 13/09/2020 20:14

DH did today. We'd tried all weekend to try and get DC a test and nothing on GOV website, so they went to a walk in centre and got seen straight away. He said it was really quiet. We've been told we should get the results by tomorrow. We're in SE London.

toomanyspiderplants · 13/09/2020 20:16

There was a guy on any questions radio 4 who said he tried to book but couldn't so just turned up and it was really quiet and they gave him a test

gertrudee · 13/09/2020 20:17

I would try the walk in centre. I work on a testing site and last week they started turning cars away who haven't booked an appointment.

Original poster
RollingWithMyGnomie · 13/09/2020 20:19

Thanks all, I’ll keep trying online tonight and in the morning but if no luck I’ll give a walk in centre a try

OP posts:
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 13/09/2020 20:19

There was someone that called in to R4 Any Answers yesterday and said they'd gone to a drive in centre near cambridge on the off chance after unsuccessful attempts to book online. No queues, seen straightaway despite having no pre-booking code. not one arrived while they were there.

ibbydibby · 13/09/2020 20:20

DS works at one where people just turn up. Just seems crazy when so many struggling to get them. He was texted today to see if he would do a 4 hour shift 350 miles away...

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 13/09/2020 20:20

another caller to the program said they'd had more success phoning rather than online.

pepperwood · 13/09/2020 20:22

Just turn up, that's what we were told here and my partner went and the test site was quiet despite not showing any appointments.

TheDuchessofMalfy · 13/09/2020 20:25

I think people have had more success by phoning, that’s right. It’s 119 for tests.

If not, maybe speak to 111 or to your GP. They may advise you to go to A and E, I’m not sure. Or advise you something.

Bearing in mind he is actual so unwell , your priority is probably making sure he’s getting the right treatment / care rather than simply a test to clear him to go back to school etc., so I think it’s legitimate to contact a medic.

nancy75 · 13/09/2020 20:29

There is a drive in test centre 2 minutes from me, it’s so quiet but you can’t get an appt. according to local Facebook (so could be rubbish) quite a few people have turned up without appointments & been given a test

MissConductUS · 13/09/2020 20:30

My son is unwell, high fever, lethargy etc.

He needs to be seen by someone who is qualified to diagnose him. Take him to A&E if there's no other option.

Snailsetssail · 13/09/2020 20:32

I went to a drive in test today (with an appointment) and there were signs everywhere telling you not to come onto site if you don’t have a booking.

Original poster
RollingWithMyGnomie · 13/09/2020 20:33

I tired 119 earlier and heard their message of not having any more availability and assumed that was right - will give them a try again now, thank you for the heads up.

He is unwell but not desperately ill - if it were normal circumstances I’d probably not send him in tomorrow but think he would be fine for Tuesday as he has perked up a bit tonight.

He is at a special school with PMLD children so I’m really mindful of keeping more vulnerable children safe and probably being extra cautious. I naively assumed if we needed tests we would get them!

OP posts:
ZombieFan · 13/09/2020 20:34

Surely you would keep him home whether or not he had a positive test, given he is unwell? If his fever is so high its a worry then ring 111 and follow advice.

Original poster
RollingWithMyGnomie · 13/09/2020 20:41

@ZombieFan

Surely you would keep him home whether or not he had a positive test, given he is unwell? If his fever is so high its a worry then ring 111 and follow advice.
Well of course I would keep him home if he’s unwell, but being at home for 14 days (unless I’m wrong) vs a couple of days for a normal virus is quite different? His fever isn’t super high but higher than normal. He has struggled hugely with lockdown due to his SEN so going back to school has been massive.

Also the worry he could be spreading a virus to vulnerable children (and also grandparents) is slightly different during a global pandemic than your bog standard cold or high temp.

Or is he not infectious once his temp has gone? Genuine question and not being goady

OP posts:
cretelover · 13/09/2020 20:46

I turned up at one without an appointment during the week and was not seen. I thinking depends where you are.

Original poster
RollingWithMyGnomie · 13/09/2020 20:53

We are Hampshire/Dorset borders if anyone has any info

OP posts:
cretelover · 13/09/2020 20:54

We aren't near there so there may be more hope!

Catchingbabies · 13/09/2020 21:00

I turned up today and explained that we couldn’t book online and got my daughter tested no problem. They told me they only had 2 people booked in all day and they wondered why it was quiet!

Original poster
RollingWithMyGnomie · 13/09/2020 21:09

Thank you! I’m on hold for 119 but will give it a shot tomorrow if we can’t get an appointment

OP posts:
ZombieFan · 13/09/2020 21:18

but being at home for 14 days (unless I’m wrong) vs a couple of days for a normal virus is quite different?

Its only 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

Original poster
RollingWithMyGnomie · 13/09/2020 21:22

That’s fab. Thanks so much for your help 🙄

OP posts:
Thirtyrock39 · 13/09/2020 21:23

10 days for the person with symptoms - 14 days for rest of household
Walk in centres rather than drive ins are more likely to see without apt and particularly cold in local hot spot areas