Testing Dilemma

[LoudBatPerson]

I am ill and whilst I don't think it is Covid I do have some of the red flag symptoms (namely high temperature and cough).

My children are due back back at school. One tomorrow one Monday.

I have tried to get a test but the options are not great. It's not giving me an option for a home test (not sure why, symptoms only starter yesterday so within time frame) but the only drive through option being offered is in Newport. I am in London.

I am far too ill to drive myself but my husband could drive me. However I am reluctant to do this as I have to keep drinking a lot as my throat is very raw and painful, and as such I need to toilet all of the time. I will not make it Newport and back without at least one toilet break each way.

It's seems really daft to drive across the country (and into another country) knowing I will have to leave the car when potentially infectious.

The other option is to not get a test but that means the children have to isolate even if it turns out o don't have Covid (which I don't think I do).

My youngest is meant to start secondary school tomorrow and I hate the thought of her missing the first two weeks of not needed.

I guess my question is what would you do? Not test and likely keep the kids off school for two weeks without needing to, or take the 90+ mile trip for a test and hope I don't have Covid as I will have to enter public spaces.

I will keep checking the Covid site for a nearer test but from what o have heard from a friend who has tried for two days now it's not looking good.

Have you phoned 119 to ask for a test?

Get a home test ?

It's not giving me the option for a home test.

This message appears about calling:
"If no tests are available online, do not call helplines to get a test. You will not be able to get a test through the helplines."

It's just such bad timing! I have just seen the BBC news arrival about tests being rationed in non hotspots, I guess that's the cause.

I will keep checking, hoping a better option will appear. Travelling that far just doesn't seem responsible.

Not sure where in London you are but Google states drive in centers in Greenwich and Twickenham and a walk in test center in Newham.
With the walk in, your husband could drop you off and I assume you would wear a mask into the center.

I would call 119 and arrange through them if you're doing it online now as it could be a computer error, I would have thought there would be a few centers in London.
I'd rather know and not have the faff of 14 day isolation with children in tow.

Just listening to radio 4. Someone from Suffolk was told to go to the testing in Aberdeen! Whoever the spokesman for the government/PHE was didn’t make it clear that you may now not be able to get a home test sent out either. Bloody idiotic.

I'm also being offered that site which is 90 miles away, but I just tried again and got home kit as an option.

I checked again to see if home tests working now and they have released a few slots for Heathrow airport, only saying 70 slots available over next 5 days though.

Might help anyone else in London needing a test.

It's mental, I do wonder if it's social engineering. Send all kids back with no SD, and make it impossible for people to get tests. How many children like yours will be sent back tomorrow?
Aside you have two of the symptoms, you should be thinking that it might be covid. You all need to self isolate for either 14 days or until you have a test.

Yes we will be self isolating until I get a result, hence me asking the question if I should take the long trip and hopefully get a concrete answer or just self isolate without testing.

Luckily they have rereleased a few test appointment tents for today so I have been able to get one.

If I couldn't get a test my children would have taken the two weeks off.

@LoudBatPerson

Yes we will be self isolating until I get a result, hence me asking the question if I should take the long trip and hopefully get a concrete answer or just self isolate without testing.

Luckily they have rereleased a few test appointment tents for today so I have been able to get one.

If I couldn't get a test my children would have taken the two weeks off.

You would but it's obvious that many wouldn't if they couldn't get a test, people can not afford to take multiple two weeks off work/school being able to easily access tests and have a quick turn around is our best chance and now as we are heading into autumn the govt is restricting tests.

I think they release more slots after 9 for the afternoon - I booked a test yesterday and when I first went on it also offered me Newport (they must have loads of availability there!) - which whilst not as far for me, is still a 2 hour round trip - I tried again an hour later and was offered loads of times at our local centre (which wasn't particularly busy, and seemed to take people who hadn't booked as well!). Results back well within 24 hours as well.

Glad you got that local slot OP. How ridiculous to have to drive so far. God can they get anything right!!!!

Mine is now showing local tests too and I ordered a home one. Arrrgh