Can’t get a test for 6 days - how is this system practical?

[QueenofmyPrinces]

Yesterday my eldest son (aged 6) went for a test, we booked it at 7.00am and whisked him straight off. Our local centre had no appointments for 5 days so instead my DH has to drive him to a centre over an hour away.

Last night my youngest son (aged 3) started showing symptoms and still has them this morning. Tried to book him a test and again, all local centres don’t have any appointments for 6 days and the next nearest available appointment is at a centre 150 miles away - and I haven’t even checked if that place has appointments available!!

I tried to order a home testing kit but was told there was none available?

So what now? My husband works and I’m at Uni so we need to know whether he has it or not, or are we just expected to stay at home for 6 days because there is no testing available?

It just seems ridiculous.

I can imagine that it is reasons like this that people won’t isolate because they will feel they can’t just put their lives on hold ‘just in case’ when it might not even be Covid but they can’t get tested.

I don’t know what the answer is but if the Government are so reliant on T&T surely this system needs to be better? Who knows how many cases may be missed because the individual can’t get a test, or his the numbers may be skewed because by the time someone actually gets a tests they’re symptoms have abated that it shows up negative.

I just saw on the Governmrnt website that tests needs to be done within 5 days of symptoms starting to get an accurate result, but how is this possible when the appointments just aren’t there.

I know we are going to have to drive really, really far to get him tested and it just seems madness.

What if you don’t have a car / can’t drive / too sick to drive?

Completely agree that anyone who finds they cannot get a test at a sensible location within a reasonable timeframe should write to their MP with details. Most MPs will take note if they are receiving lots of mail on the same subject.

I wouldn't drive 4 hours for a test I'm afraid, I'd just wait and see. My OH and i went for a test on BH Monday (10 miles away so not too bad - we combined it with a walk afterwards). I got a negative result back the next day but my OH has never received his. He didn't have any symptoms - was only tested because I had symptoms - so we're not going to bother chasing it up or doing his again.

If they can't get the system working a bit better than this, the winter is going to be fun!

Totally agree Lily. This is an unbelievable situation given that people are returning to school / work at the moment - how on Earth is this acceptable?

Write to your MPs (this is so easy to do by a simple email) and make complaints to the bbc to report on this properly.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint

@99victoria
Which bit of self isolation while waiting for results don't you understand?

@statisticalSense
Oh, are there lots of 'bits' to self-isolation? Do explain

That you don't go for a walk while waiting on Covid test results is not exactly a difficult bit to understand though is it. If you develop symptoms the only reason you can leave your house is to head straight to a testing station and then immediately return home.

This is going to become a bigger problem when people decide that if they can’t get a test quickly and locally they will carry on going to work so that they still get paid.

Just turn up at your nearest testing centre, they'll test and then give you a form/code to register so you can get the results.

[quote 99victoria]@statisticalSense
Oh, are there lots of 'bits' to self-isolation? Do explain[/quote]
But isn't this the world Besting Test Track & Trace that the UK is going to show the world?

And the TTT system that HAD to be in place before we unlocked?

JFC they couldn't organise a party in a pub.

It's bloody scary.

@QueenofmyPrinces I'm in Leicester and there's loads of walk through slots available today or it's showing drive through slots in Nottingham. Maybe try again now as they must have released some more

Maybe try again now as they must have released some more

Just looked and there’s now loads of appointments available at various venues!

It’s madness!!!

Got one for 4.30 tonight - So relieved!!

We got to the testing centre at 4.30 last night and it was dead!

There were 10 testing areas and we were the only ones there!!

Eldest son’s results have come back negative do just hoping the sane for the youngest when we get them.

I thought the test only had 79% reliability if taken within 4/5 days after symptoms show - I thought it’s reliability starting to decrease even more after that point in time. Maybe someone can correct me or tell me if that’s true..

I thought the test only had 79% reliability if taken within 4/5 days after symptoms show - I thought it’s reliability starting to decrease even more after that point in time. Maybe someone can correct me or tell me if that’s true.

On the government’s website it says the test needs to be done within 5 days of symptoms starting, but I didn’t see anything about percentages. I imagine you’re right though.

I tried to book a test for a relative with symptoms. Couldn't get anything nearby. Had to wait for a hone test and all was delayed because of the weekend. Luckily that person is able to isolate.

The truth is people won't be able to afford to isolate while they wait around for tests and results every time they or one of the household get a cough.

Many people live hand to mouth on minimum wage. Many people have employers who expect them in come what may.

I'm supposed we haven't got some sort of same day results testing by now.

OP i feel for you!

I fell very ill yesterday but no fever.... tought, ok, what now? I can be optimistic and say no fever, no worry. But then my kids are going back to school today.... Or I can be a pessimist and keep everyone home to be safe. Both options seem equally baseless. So I tought, I'll get a test.... Then second problem arises. Am i wasting a test unecessarily? back to conondrum above..... Lastly, the only test is miles away and I have no car available....

I can see why people just decide to be optimistic and ignore everything but the most obvious illness. But that is of course, why the spread continues....

I spoke to the head teacher today who said the Testing Centres have spoken to schools and said they just can’t cope with the demand so can they stop requiring tests for children just because they have symptoms of a cold.

The schools new policy is now that the child only needs testing if they have a persistent cough and/or a fever. If they are symptoms that are typical cold-like symptoms then they are fine to go into school as normal.

Unfortunately we have posters on here advising their adult children to get 2 tests with no symptoms because of having gone on holiday. Other posters telling people whose child has a snotty nose to get a test. Then tests run out for those who really need them. Should there be 67 million daily test capacity to account for everyone's decisions?

My friend has kept her son off because he has a sore throat and said the school will just send him home again and ask him to be tested before he goes back

The reasonable level I would expect is to stay home a few days and see what happens with a sore throat, test only for major symptoms. It seems like everyone has a different view right now on what's reasonable though.

The problem is though, that for children who have working parents, the child having to be kept at home for a few days because of a sore throat (when the child is otherwise well) will cause a lot problems. It’s just not practical. I think the schools need to realise that not all children have parents at home to accommodate keeping their child at home every time they show a minor sign of illness which is probably nothing.

The problem is though, that for children who have working parents, the child having to be kept at home for a few days because of a sore throat (when the child is otherwise well) will cause a lot problems. It’s just not practical. I think the schools need to realise that not all children have parents at home to accommodate keeping their child at home every time they show a minor sign of illness which is probably nothing

I agree. No doubt people will say it's not about working parents, but there are 4 of us in our household. We can't all stay off work or school every time one of us has a sniffle.

Surely either government messaging needs to be clearer or we should have rapid testing rolled out for anything with any symptoms.

@QueenofmyPrinces please don't blame the schools, they're just following government guidance.

@QueenofmyPrinces

I’m in Leicestershire and the only test available is in Wales.

I’m in Leicestershire and when I checked this morning there were tests available in Derby, so why the hell are they sending you to Wales?! Makes no sense.