I can’t get a test, ANYWHERE! Help!

[Fast90]

Hi all,

My DS is showing some symptoms of Covid - he’s got a new cough and has a slightly raised temperature. He’s also got cold symptoms not generally associated with Covid (such as sneezing). Even so, I know we need to isolate and get him tested.

I’m trying to get hold of one for him but am just being faced with the ‘no test sites found’ message on the gov website. I can’t get a home test kit either. This is just absolutely ludicrous but without descending into a rant about this, I’m just wondering if anyone has any firsthand experience or inside info about how/ when new tests are released?

I’m a front line worker (nurse) and DP is a manager of an engineering firm he’s trying to keep afloat. We need to avoid 2 weeks of isolation at all costs.

Thanks I’m advance

[Doliv63]

I am in exactly the same position but has now finally got a test booked for my daughter today!! It took 3 days and I should be at work now . My advice is to go on the site at 8pm and keep on refreshing.Good luck!!! This government needs to go !

[StarDanced]

I managed to book one at 10:10 this morning for my da, but I'm worried that I have had no confirmation email or text. Is this normal? I had a test in may and had a text through to show. We'll be driving 40mins to test site so worries I will turn up and then be turned away.

[Doliv63]

@Maryann1975

I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to resist breaking in to a rant about this, so I think you e done really well! How did the government not see this coming! Everyone in education knows that the first couple of weeks back to school are germ ridden and the majority have a cold/cough/some kind of viral infection. How Did they not increase capacity to deal with this! I know so many dc who are off waiting for tests, meanwhile their bubbles are going about as normal, potentially infected even more people should the original test come back as positive.
There you go, I‘Ve had your rant for you. I fear this won’t be the only time I rant about this issue today either!

This...a complete shitshow!!

[DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon]

@Bathroom12345 what do you mean youll give up and end up spreading?

If you dont get a test you need to self isolate for the 10 days. If you actually have corona you will need to do this anyway and Im assuming as you want a test theres a chance you do

[Ellsbells12]

Son showing symptoms can't get a test I am so angry and pissed off like everyone else so winter is going to be a shite show

[GroupSects]

I tried this morning to book one online, no luck so drove to test centre to see if any walk-ins were available.
On the gate they said no and to ring up and get one.
While I was on hold I tried online again and got one for this afternoon so think they must be released through the day.
Drive in though only gave me option of a centre half an hour ish away at Heathrow but walk in option was the centre nearest to me which is the one I booked.

[Boysadear]

If you call your occupational health department they should be able to help you . I got my son tested last week as I am health care worker they helped me get one.

[Bathroom12345]

Sorry. I won’t be spreading it. I work at home and so do rest of household. I am saying that some people will just carry on with their lives whether that be working, socialising etc. Tons of people have little in the way of symptoms.

[UnalliterativeGeorge]

Not all trusts are testing their staff - DHs was but have stopped and told him he had to go through the gov website. DD gets a temperature every time she's ill so hopefully they decide they'll test staff again or he'll be off more than he's in over winter!

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

We tried for 7 hours which it appears is quite quick actually from 3am-10am last Monday. We just refreshed every 15 minutes or so. Managed to get in to a drive through that was only 30 minutes away, we were offered Ebbw Vale, Cardiff, Carlisle & Manchester prior to that (we're south Warks).

[dicdicnurse]

Our Health board has a separate phone line for staff to book themselves or family members a test. Unfortunately the current wait time on a result is 5-7 days so it's kind of defeating the object of getting us back in work quicker!

[Mybelle]

Tbh I don't trust what the gov website says. It constantly says no test sites when I looked but there are 2 near me not busy at all. In fact I walked straight into one this morning without an appointment was given a test straight away. May be easier to Google if you have a local test centre and see if they'll accept you walking in.

[Fast90]

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. We’ve managed to get a test after hours of refreshing the gov page.. in Wales.. an hour and 20 minutes away from our home in England!

We’re actually in the car on route as we speak, our poor DS. He’s got plenty of snacks and is watching Disney+. I’m really hoping he’s going to manage a little sleep.

We just had to take it because as I say we both need to be in work. We do most people across the country, I know.

I think it’s going to be a very long winter...

[Fast90]

*as do most people across the country

[OliviaBenson]

@StarDanced if you didn't get a confirmation text or email o do t think you have an appointment. You need the email to get to the site. Lots of people have had similar issues I think.

[lifesalongsong]

@mrshoho

Not personal experience but a work colleague took her Son to a local testing site without a pre booked appointment and they tested him there. The web page was saying nothing available but she said the test site appeared v quiet when they got there. This is NW London area.

There was a test site in London on the news a couple of days ago, maybe the same one and they said that the problem isn't that the test sites are too busy it's that there simply isn't enough lad capacity to process all the tests that could be done.

I have no idea how easy it is set up new labs, I guess the limiting factor might be that staff needed to be trained rather than shortage of equipment, does anyone know if that's true?

[Testingisajoke]

@Purplewithred

I think we're all coming to realise that 2 weeks in isolation is going to happen to most of us at some stage. There just isn't enough testing capacity to cope with the completely predictable back-to-school cold and fresher's flu season.

Personally I think testing should only be available to key workers for a bit and the rest of us will just have to accept the inevitable.

But it's not just two weeks, it's going to be an endless succession of two weeks. There will come a point where the country won't function because non covid people are isolating for no reason, but have to isolate because they can't get a test. Business can't afford this, people can't afford this, the country can not afford this. Why the fuck haven't the govt sorted this out.

[wherestheotherone]

I've just looked and there were some postal tests available about 20 minutes ago. Our nearest drive in is over a 3 hour round trip. Totally unacceptable considering its a test for people who potentially have flu type symptoms, are feeling very unwell, some who live on their own and are elderly and children.

No stops allowed. Its unbelievably bad.

[wherestheotherone]

Also consider if people don't drive and cant get a postal test they are advised to get a taxi. WTAF! 150 miles in a taxi not including waiting time 🤔.

That's going to be in the region of almost £250.

You ever tried cycling or walking with a chest infection and flu?

[Fast90]

Yes I appreciate that we’re actually very fortunate. Despite having to do a close to 3 hour round trip, at least we CAN do it. My DP and I are well and we’ve got access to the means to travel (by car)