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Original poster

Got a text saying positive

51 replies

doodledo92 · 17/09/2020 13:31

Just spoke to a friend who is isolating due to having symptoms.
He booked in for test, turned out he couldn't make it for that day, tried to ring to change the time but couldn't get through so never had the test.
He received a text message 48 hours later saying his results had come back positive!!!
He NEVER had the test!!

This happened to anyone else? Seems a bit strange to me!

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 17/09/2020 13:32

I noticed someone on twitter said the same.
Worth making your mp aware I think.

ChaChaCha2012 · 17/09/2020 13:33

This is what happens when you outsource vital services.

They've probably attached someone else's test to his data, so the other person won't have any result and have to isolate for the full fourteen days (as your friend does).

Original poster
doodledo92 · 17/09/2020 13:34

He rung the local newspaper they didn't want to know about it. Which I thought was also a little odd, they usually like to print loads of scaremongering regarding COVID.

I will tell to speak to mp

OP posts:
Original poster
doodledo92 · 17/09/2020 13:36

@ChaChaCha2012 if that is the case then maybe the other person thought no results so maybe negative and gone out and about as usual!

OP posts:
ineedaholidaynow · 17/09/2020 13:38

Can he respond to the text, surely that is better than going to the press

Original poster
doodledo92 · 17/09/2020 13:39

@ineedaholidaynow never thought to ask him that but I will do now

OP posts:
kittykarate · 17/09/2020 13:47

Normally the text would be from a computer rather than a person, so I doubt responding will get a human response.

MotherAbigail · 17/09/2020 13:54

I have just heard someone in a shop saying they had a text saying they had tested positive but haven’t had a test.

What a cock up this whole thing is

InYerFace · 17/09/2020 13:55

A similar-ish mix up happened to a friend. She ordered a home test in the summer but for various reasons didn't end up using it, and then got a text message giving her someone else's results (which were negative). Doesn't instill loads of confidence in the system.

OverTheRubicon · 17/09/2020 13:58

Every one of these stories seems to have happened to a 'friend'

I have no doubts that there are loads of screw ups but this same story doing the rounds all over suggests it's either an interesting urban legend or a darker attempt to undermine the entire test and trace system.

ineedaholidaynow · 17/09/2020 14:03

There must be some way of contacting someone (not the press) to say text was incorrect

lifesalongsong · 17/09/2020 14:03

Isn't it more likely that when people are booking tests they are inputting their contact details wrongly? With all the stress of the booking system it would be easy to type the a wrong digit meaning that the text goes to the wrong number

Does the system involve human input of contact details at any point?

kittykarate · 17/09/2020 14:06

Does the system involve human input of contact details at any point?

Yes - you do enter your contact details. Actually I'm thinking this could be a cunning way of testing, but not having any positive tests linked to you for track and trace/isolation reasons. You could use your MILs details for example, and when she tells you she got a positive text you go "How weird?"

Original poster
doodledo92 · 17/09/2020 14:12

I can assure you this one isn't an urban myth!
My friend called me this morning straight after receiving his results!

Like I said he went online Tuesday to book the test for that day. He tried calling to rearrange a time slot but couldn't get through to anyone. Them received the text this morning.
The text had his name and dob on so it was sent to the right person, he just never had the test!

OP posts:
lifesalongsong · 17/09/2020 14:54

@kittykarate

Does the system involve human input of contact details at any point?

Yes - you do enter your contact details. Actually I'm thinking this could be a cunning way of testing, but not having any positive tests linked to you for track and trace/isolation reasons. You could use your MILs details for example, and when she tells you she got a positive text you go "How weird?"

I wasn't very clear sorry, I mean does anyone other than the person requesting the test input their details.

Is there a stage where for example handwritten information is input by a third party or if you order a test over the phone do you give your number to an operator to input?

With anything like that there will be scope for human error, but is an error possible once a QR code or bar code has been allocated to someone I wonder

Howslifenow · 17/09/2020 15:25

Maybe it's a scam. Was there any link in the message.

Pheobeasy · 17/09/2020 15:28

Like I said he went online Tuesday to book the test for that day. He tried calling to rearrange a time slot but couldn't get through to anyone. Them received the text this morning.

So he booked a timeslot against his details? Someone probably walked in on the off change and it automatically set against his details or something. Obviously the markings of a crap system, but someone probably did have the test in the slot he had booked, just not him, hah.

Baaaahhhhh · 17/09/2020 15:44

This is what happens when you outsource vital services

And you don't think stuff like that happens in the NHS - someone the other day was sent someones entire medical record.....

GreenGoldRed · 17/09/2020 15:47

Why couldn’t he “make it for that day” after booking a test? If he booked a test he should have be staying home unless going for that test. What was he doing instead?

Greysparkles · 17/09/2020 15:48

I'm more pissed off that he booked a test and didn't bother turning up

Baaaahhhhh · 17/09/2020 16:03

Maybe it's a scam. Was there any link in the message

It must be. If someone has never been on the system and entered their email address or mobile number, then the message is coming from a bot.

Baaaahhhhh · 17/09/2020 16:05

Scratch that..... he was in the system.....

TimWasMeanToMe · 17/09/2020 16:49

I got a text saying I’d had a positive test - from what looks like the official number. It was then followed by lots of info (no links) about claiming sick pay, self isolating etc. I checked into the official website using the code given in the text (not following a link) and it came up with details very similar to mine, but all slightly incorrect (dob 5 days out, name misspelt but spelt phonetically etc). I had several calls from the official test and trace number which I ignored but I eventually contacted them and they confirmed the had ‘me’ as having tested positive. All very strange. Can’t work out what the scam would be. Can’t imagine why someone would bother going for a test if they planned to use fake details.

minniethemooch · 19/09/2020 08:13

Don't you have to give an email address too ? Maybe someone needed a test , didn't want to give their details so gave someone else's but set up a temporary email address to get the results that way ?

Hmmph · 19/09/2020 08:18

@GreenGoldRed

Why couldn’t he “make it for that day” after booking a test? If he booked a test he should have be staying home unless going for that test. What was he doing instead?
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