Has anyone else had the random test invitation in the post?

[Cattermole]

It seems like the COVID equivalent of the spot check tbh - it's a random sample. The thing that's concerning me is you register for the test, the test comes, a courier picks it up and bob's your Auntie Flo. A week later, you get your results.
I have no reason to think I have it, I'm a LA administrator working from home, I have no symptoms. I'm also a carer for my mum. It's what I do if it comes back positive? I can't find any guidance on this - after a week plus in which I (theoretically) was contagious and asymptomatic? Because it's a bit bloody late to start self-isolating then, isn't it?

@NyMa That's very reassuring, thank you. Was kinda hoping I could just throw my box towards him as he stands near his van - a bit like what our local hermes man used to do before lockdown (chuck it towards the house n drive off) but in reverse!

DS was selected for this. The initial letter arrived on Monday and I went online later that day to say he'd do it. The test arrived by post on Wednesday and I booked the courier straight away. They emailed back quickly but it went into my junk folder so didn't see it straight away. It said the courier would arrive anytime between 9am and 8pm on Thursday. We did the test before 9am on Thursday and the courier collected it at about 2pm. He left a box on my doorstep then stepped back while I put the box with the test inside.

The only problem I've had is taking the online questionnaire afterwards. When I enter the code, it says we've already taken it but we haven't. I kept getting cut off when I phoned so I emailed and they replied after a few hours. Said there have been issues with this and they will get our code reset in 2-3 days time so just waiting for that now.

Well there's been a cock up with the collection!
Still no confirmation email late last night checked all folders.
Went to Sainsburys this morning & then get an email saying Yodel will be collecting the text within the next hour!!! Then 5 mins after that get a call from the courier asking if I'm at home now.
I explained to the courier that as I'd had no collection confirmed until just then & there would be no way that I'd be able to get back in time (as in middle of food shop)
Yodel courier said he couldn't rearrange pick up as he had to stick to his list.
I've tried the React study phone numbers, one of them is constantly engaged & the other I am in a long queue. Hopefully I will get through soon & see if the can sort out collection.
Sod's law is that if I'd taken the chance & done the test & waited in for collection, no one would have collected.

Oh no @HelsinkiLights, what a mare! And they tell us not to do the test til weve arranged collection, eh. Hope you've somehow managed to get through by phone. I still haven't received my email yet (tho only booked this morning) Bloody hoping yodel dont turn up out of the blue anytime soon expecting to collect mine! I've given up on that telephone number btw.

I booked the courier this morning for my DS’ test but I haven’t received an email. Have checked my junk folder but there is nothing in there.

Dear OP and others

I too received the letter but cannot for the life of me get on to the website given. I have tried numerous times to type in the study website as given in the letter but it just brings up a site talking about the test in general but with no log in facility. I tried to ring the helpline a few times but each time had to hold on for so long that I gave up. Any tips on how I can actually access the site from those posters who have managed to do so??

I use the Internet all the time, so am not a novice at this!

Ignore my previous post, as I have managed to access the website by using the link in OP's second post, so I have been able to order the test kit. Thanks OP.

If you want more info on this you can find it on Imperial College website, There is a participant information sheet of 12 pages, which is the expected requirement for any trial. You should read it and if it answers all your questions, make your own informed decision

tc0272.customervoice360.com/uc/antigenReg.php

So for anyone following, I still havent had an email . I did, however, get a a text from Yodel at half 11 this morn to say they will collect my test between half 1 and half 3 today, so it does seem like they dont always email you, that the courier mayb just texts you instead. Anyway, have now done the test and popped in fridge. Found trying to swab my tonsils harder than I expected coz my tongue just wdnt behave itself and lots of gagging. Nose swab went better despite streaming eyes. That kicked in as I was twirling it around against the back bit. I do have a big hooter tho, as DH reminded me. He reckoned I'd lose it up there completely. Def do it in front a decent mirror - I propped my makeup one next to the kitchen sink. Have everything set out like they say. It doesn't take long and I'd happily do it again - anything to help right now.

Test was absolutely fine. Just had to throw it away though as courier didn't come back despite customer service saying he would come back to collect it later on Saturday. No text, no email, no call.
Grrrrrr.

Have to admit mine was all pretty staightforward, rang on Monday got the test Wednesday and collected Thursday.

One of the first emails I got went into spam, but The texts have all been pretty spot on.. I was surprised the courier had a cool bax and ice in there.

Ive just done the survey and like the rest you have to be spot on with inputting www details .Only thing amiss a bit was it asked lots of questions surrounding sneezing, runny nose tight chest etc which I answered correctly and details about other medical stuff but no mention in the list of hayfever.

I know mine and a lot of peoples hayfever is exaccebated this year

I never got an email. The courier knocked at the door and we did the test while he waited. I have just completed the follow up survey and there was a question about symptoms since November.

Do you get a choice of collection dates? DD's test arrived on Saturday but the next day we can guarantee someone will be in all day is Thursday. I can't decide if I should log on now to book the date or wait until Tuesday/Wednesday to make sure we get collection on Thursday.

@Cattermole

I wouldn't do anything based on the result. The ones they're using for random testing are most likely the ones that failed to meet the criteria for actual use but they decided were 'good enough' for mass random testing.

I would definitely do it if asked, but my gag reflex is strong and my tolerance for nasal stuff is very low, so I can see it being a complete mightmare😳😫

It's an antigen test - [[//www.reactstudy.org/antigenreg]] - being done by Imperial College London.

@DebbieFiderer No, we were just given a collection date which was the following day. So I would wait till Wednesday to book the courier

Fab, that's what I thought. I'm off Friday as well so can be home then for collection too

We still haven't had the results back yet. Has anyone had the results?

They never even collected my test :-(
After two days of it sitting either on the doorstep or on the fridge and no contact from the couriers, it went in the bin.

I booked a courier and received no email to say when they would collect!!! The first I knew about my collection was when I was woken up the next day by them knocking on my door!! Anyway they waited while I did the test and that went off on the Saturday, I then got results back on the Wednesday by txt and email.

@Cherryghost yes I did after about two days. Negative unsurprisingly

Did my test this morning. The courier process and questionnaire all went smoothly. By God that test made me gag and sneeze though!

we've had our daughters result today - exactly seven days later.
negative - it came in the post.

Was anyone else a bit disturbed about the question on the online questionnaire that talked about linking to your medical data for the next 20 yrs and how it would be securely stored on the Imperial servers? Can't remember the exact wording but even at 7:30 this morning I thought it was a bit big brother?

I have received a letter now. I'm not doing the test. It sounds unpleasant. I have 101 things to do. I don't want information about me stored.