NHS Drive-Thru Testing with DD; possible bag mix-up?

[user12341245]

Will try to lay out the facts / steps and then explain my thinking on why they've got it wrong:

1. 13 yr DD's Dad and Step-Mum tested positive Friday. She been with both families last week
2. DD already off school because CV in class
3. As I've been coughing, and she unwell (nausea, headache, tired) I booked a test Fri eve for Sat

Now here's the thing; when booking the test you enter your (the adults) details first then add in the other people's names to be tested

1. I entered in my info including email and mobile
2. Used the 'add' button to enter in her as a 2nd person to be tested. I entered in my mobile number but I used the option to say she doesn't have an email address
3. Received ONE confirmation email with QR code and 2 Separate appt texts

The test:

4. on showing the QR code they said I should have a separate one for the kid but waves through
5. They came over with 2 bags knowing both our names
6. They asked our names again before us handing the bags over

Now this is the thing; is there a chance they could have mixed up the bags? I know that the results will always correlate with the bag via the bar code but;

HOW DO THEY KNOW WHICH WAS MINE AND WHICH WAS MY DD's?

We just have the one QR code. I can't remember them asking my first name when handing my test thru the window. At that point - and please, testers help here - do they on their handheld computers have to enter in a choice of names so I correlates with the bar code? Can they mess it up?

Just got the results; one email for me and 2 texts saying I'm positive and DD is negative. It doesn't make sense - I think they've mixed up the bags.
Can this happen?

The DD will be fine, I'm worried though because I'm fine enough to work but now it's against the law to leave the house. I'll get sick pay for it.

But what happens if the results have been mixed up? And I catch the virus again in 4 weeks time?

Can anyone who has been doing the testing let me know if there is a loophole in the process where errors can be made?

TIA

If you have been coughing and have had a positive test you have COVID. The fact your daughter is negative is probably irrelevant. You could have got it from anyone and just because she has been in contact with positive cases doesn’t mean she is going to get it.

I’m sorry you have all this before Christmas. I’m not a tester but don’t know if my experience will help you. I took my son for a test a couple of weeks ago and the email with the QR code on had corrupted and they found his details with the car registration so I guess they have more than one way to identify people and as long as the person collecting the tests knew which belonged to each person then it’s probably correct.

It is also possible that she is positive but tested negative.

If they mixed up the bags and your DD has shown positive that still means that you cannot go into work as you are now officially a contact and should be isolating.

Ps you can also retest to confirm who actually has it now

We only got one QR code and they accessed the other of the cars registration so they can get the info that way. I think it's quite unlikley they messed it up tbh but if you want peace of mind then go and get retested.

Pretty sure they have sorted out a system where the tests don’t get mixed up ffs.

Why do you think they are mixed? You were coughing and she wasn’t.

Nearly everyone has had it anyway. It’s no bog deal for the vast majority. Your daughter has probably already had it and not noticed

Please don't waste another test. If your DD has it you have to self isolate for 10 days anyway. Very little about this virus makes sense at the moment, but you're coughing and had a positive test result so need to stay home.

So sorry this will make life hard. Are you entitled to the £500 payment? www.gov.uk/test-and-trace-support-payment

I think the bags are assigned to a person once the test is complete.

When we did them, they had barcodes on the bags. They took the bags one at a time and scanned the barcode. Asked who the test belonged to and linked the bag to the name on the app.

So unless you mixed the bags up when you handed them over, then the tests should be assigned to the correct person.

As others have said it doesn’t matter who has it workwisr as you and anyone in your house has to isolate now. Also if you have been positive anyone that has been in contact with you has to so please let your work place know.

Thanks for the advice. I've no problems with isolating. Will do anyway, I am a single Mum in the U.K. - had plans long since cancelled to go home so 🤷‍♀️ I'm just not sure she asked us for our names when we handed over the tests..

I've had this cough for about 6-8 weeks, it's just ramped up in the last few weeks.

@Jinglealltheway22

I think the bags are assigned to a person once the test is complete.

When we did them, they had barcodes on the bags. They took the bags one at a time and scanned the barcode. Asked who the test belonged to and linked the bag to the name on the app.

So unless you mixed the bags up when you handed them over, then the tests should be assigned to the correct person.

I am wondering if there is a possibility they linked the wrong name to the barcode - Ie is this technically possible?

I'm not absolving myself of isolating etc if that makes a difference

Regardless of who is positive you both need to isolate anyway.

Our test packs had cards in them with bar codes to match the codes on the test kits, and space to fill in the corresponding person’s name to each test kit. Did you fill in one of those?

A mix up is always possible when people are in the same car.

So you never know. Maybe just assume you both are positive?

Why do you think it’s wrong? When you handed the bags back did they check the barcodes and ID? they will have made sure they knew which had come from you and which came from your DD. You both have to isolate anyway as you live together so why are you worried about it? (And that is genuine to help you not flippant)

When we did both dc a few weeks ago we had 2 qr codes they scanned at various points. However I hadn’t quite realised that they didn’t allocate a test to a person at the beginning so, with all the stress of doing the tests on reluctant dc, at the end when I handed over the bags & they scanned to a qr code, had no idea which test belonged to which dc. Luckily they were both negative but it did leave me thinking I could end up in exactly your situation.

I think I’d treat you both as positive as living together that’s fairly likely anyway. I hope you both feel better soon.

They didn't ask to look at any ID nor did we write anything on the cards - so with one QR code I do think they've messed up.

We are isolating - no chance I'm going to break any rules. I suppose that whilst I'm not clinically vulnerable to Covid I am a little - I would like to know I've actually had it for peace of mind (immunity etc). Have ordered a private test just to see.

On a practical level it doesn’t really make any difference, there’s a positive in the household so you all have to isolate anyway.
Maybe just be vigilant about informing potential contacts of each of you just in case, if it’s likely you have had different close contacts that is.

I’ve done several tests and they’ve all had a card attached to the front of the bag with a drawing of a car layout on it ahd they put a cross in the seat that each person is sitting in on their test so they don’t get muddled up. With an adult and child they wouldn’t need you to identify who is who, it’s clear from the date of birth when you registered