Unclear Result...can't order another test?

[naughty40me]

So my DS has just got his result through.

The email says the result is UNCLEAR and that we need to book another test.

I'm also now feeling unwell. Had cold sweats and raging headaches, now sore throat.

Just tried to apply for 2 tests and the response is saying we can't have one because we've already recently applied?

So they're telling me to test him again but won't issue a test kit...i don't drive so relying on home test kit.

Anyone else had this experience?

Can I ask how long it took for results? Been waiting since Monday. Sorry I know that is not the point of your thread. Is there a telephone number you can call?

The kit was collected Friday at 8.30am and we got the result in an email at 10pm Saturday.

Sorry you've not had yours yet. The waiting is horrible isn't it.

Yes there is a helpline it says but it was closed last night so I will give them a call today.

Hope you get your result soon

If it’s the imperial college/Ipsos one the helpline staff can’t reissue tests. The scale of the project is massive and their hands are tied in that one.

Sorry to hijack @naughty40me. I got a test through the JoinZOE app. I have none of the classic symptoms, and the symptoms I do have - chest pain and shortness of breath - I've had since April. After a decent couple of weeks, I'm feeling a bit rough again.

I took the test on Thursday evening, sent back on Friday and my results have come back this morning - unclear. DH also took the test and his came back negative.

I'm able to order a second test, but I don't know what to do in the meantime. Do I contact people I've been in touch with, even though we've all been stringent on keeping 2m apart? Can DS go to school tomorrow? Do we all need to self-isolate? I can't work out if unclear equates to more likely being positive or negative, especially since none of us have any of the headline symptoms.

You should ask school what their policy is about your son.

Unclear + no diagnostic symptoms = I would assume of course you haven't had it. Almost no one is getting it now. It doesn't sound like you have anyone to contact to say you could have given it to them.

@SheilaTakeABow

I think I would continue to isolate but I'm not really sure to be honest. My email says to isolate if there are symptoms. My DS has aches and sore throat and loss of taste.

I read on here that unclear means there is some genetic code of the COVID but they can't confirm. Something about two strings of DNA and only finding one?

But I guess unclear can also be something wrong with the sample?

I'm not much help sorry

I'm totally bemused by it all this morning.

Despite DS test result being unclear the email clearly said to request another test. As I said, it won't let me order online nor for myself and I feel unwell now too.

Rang helpline, the guy was obviously just reading from a script. He asked if I could get someone to take me to a drive thru? I said I live alone with the kids and don’t drive and getting a lift would defeat the object of isolating no?

He then said there would be no point retesting DS as he is on day 6 of symptoms (contrary to what it says in the email about him HAVING to retest) but tries to get one sent out for myself.

I’ve since got confirmation of a test kit on its way but unlike my DS mine has to be posted back and won't be collected by courier.

It tells me to take my test and to post it in the nearest priority box. It states that if I am shielding, vulnerable or really unwell not to take the test at this time. But I am allowed to go post it as long as I wear a mask and social distance.

I really don't get it. Just hope I don't get too poorly to go out with it. Booking a courier for my DS took an extra day so it's all a bit awkward with timings etc.

Hope you are well soon

It really is a bit of a farce isn't it? Surely you'll be out of the window for a positive test once you've gone through all of that carry-on anyway @naughty40me?

The school policy is to keep children who may have been exposed off for 14 days from the onset of the potential infectee's symptoms. My symptoms started in April, and have waxed and waned since then.

I hope you get answers @naughty40me and you start to feel better soon.

My DH had an 'unclear' result from drive through swab he did himself. Same email, advising to rebook and he rebooked drive through the same day and this time they swabbed him and he got a negative.

Seems silly that they won't just send another test kit as thatbwould seem the obvious solution! An 'unclear' is no more likely to mean positive, its basically a problem with the sample. I'm a nurse, when we get 'unclear' back it usually means a poor swab, an unreadable label or that they lost the test!

I do wonder how many tests being done are failing or getting lost.

Dh and I did one 2 weeks ago at a drive through centre, results didn't come back, called 119 to chase up after 2 days, they said to wait another 2 days. No results. Called back, they said there must have been a problem at the test centre, and to book another test....but when I said how long we'd felt unwell (over a week...because of test not coming back) they said it was too late to do a test as it had to be done in first 5 days!

Oh really @BikerWife? I felt unclear was potentially more sinister, especially as I've had symptoms for so long I was fully expecting a negative result.

It definitely makes me wonder how many are going missing or getting unclear and being told to basically forget about it.

And the test is really difficult to do so I expect there is a massive amount of false negatives as well.

You can get another test from gov / nhs: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

I had an unclear test result after a 17 day wait. I think they lost it, as I had to keep chasing it.

Had another test last week which I had at 12pm and by 11pm I had my result, negative.

luminette, you can, but it says you should test within 5 days of starting symptoms.