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Original poster

How is everyone getting tested with no symptoms?

66 replies

Crunchymum · 27/12/2020 23:12

Every other thread on here seems to be full of people being tested who (according to the guidelines) shouldn't be legible for testing?

"We all had vomiting and tested positive but DH had no symptoms and tested negative".... why (and how??) did you all test?

"I had no symptoms but had to test to fly"

"DC wasn't himself so nursery asked me to get him tested"

I know some people are tested through work but most people aren't?

Are people fibbing about having symptoms?

OP posts:
EagleFlight · 27/12/2020 23:31

Community/mass testing, workplace testing, ZOE app or research testing, private testing, hospital admission testing, lying to get an NHS test...

Mykittensmittens · 27/12/2020 23:32

Same as @Maryann1975

We had a list from school weeks ago ‘recommending’ if we had the wider list to get a lateral test but if the main three symptoms to get the full test. Main symptoms is stay off school but wider symptoms (‘feeling off’, scratchy throat, stomach ache, nausea, etc) continue to come in but get a test ASAP.

We both tested negative next day (scratchy throat and slightly runny nose). Testing station suggested testing BOTH DS and myself as with multiples of household tested even if the result isn’t 100% its increasing that likelihood.

XiCi · 27/12/2020 23:35

I'm in Liverpool City Region and can get tested anytime. Rapid testing if you are asymptomatic and pcr if you have symptoms. More or less everyone i know got tested before Christmas day so they could relax with families. Were also getting tested every week for ONS

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 27/12/2020 23:35

We get regularly tested (and paid for it, insanely) by the Office of National Statistics. It was weekly now sadly it's only monthly.

FenEel · 27/12/2020 23:38

In our area we have been encouraged to get secondary school children and the rest of the family tested www.essex.gov.uk/news/increase-in-community-covid-19-testing-to-focus-on-secondary-school-age

Heartofglass12345 · 27/12/2020 23:40

We had mass testing sites set up in our local area, you could only go and get tested if you didn't have symptoms

Alb1 · 27/12/2020 23:41

In my area hospitality workers can get a test with no symptoms, they don’t actually ask were you work though so that’s one way. They are looking to expand it to other jobs too.

lunar1 · 27/12/2020 23:41

I had a test because the Zoe app asked me too. The other was done when I had to take ds2 for a test, I had mild cold symptoms and they asked me to test. Both negative.

Ladydowntheroad · 27/12/2020 23:48

@Lairyfightzzzz

Yes I did fib because the government's list of three main symptoms is utter horseshit.

Currently 5 members of my family are isolating including two elderly and vulnerable (one household) because a colleague of one of the household members attended work with a sore throat. She wanted to isolate and take a test but was told by her employer no, that wasn't a symptom and she had to come in or she would be sacked.

It was covid, she infected my family member that day and eight other people at her workplace.

I’m totally with you here! Government guidelines are total BS and need updating urgently, ESPECIALLY for children, neither of mine showed any of the 3 main symptoms but both tested positive because I’d done my reading and recognised the other signs.

Thank god I did because they came back positive and it gave me a chance to not only pull them out and notify their school but also to isolate us to protect their grandparents who are vulnerable.

I think it’s just a matter of basic common sense OP. Unfortunately you can’t take a complex virus and expect to stick it into a perfect little box.

If you’ve done your reading and strongly feel that someone you love may have Covid, then get a test done.

notherchge · 27/12/2020 23:58

have had heavy cold for 2 days (Runny nose, watery eyes , headache, sneezing) checked the app- scotland one- answered yes to loss of smell symptom , only advised to isolate for 10 days.

louisejxxx · 27/12/2020 23:59

Going for my first community test tomorrow (for people with no symptoms) as my local area is piloting it for a week. I’m guessing if it goes well it’ll be added to the list of places doing it on a more permanent basis. Won’t lie - I’m a bit scared it’ll be positive!

vodkaredbullgirl · 28/12/2020 00:00

Get tested every week at work, but that's because I work in a care home.

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 28/12/2020 00:09

My London borough has had mobile testing units set up for the last few weeks. You can just show up without an appointment and get a test. No need for symptoms or close contact with positive case.

Big drive to get school kids and their whole family tested. However anyone else can also go.

Are normal local drive in and walk in test centres are still running too. People with symptoms are supposed to use these.

All the centres and mobile units have been open every day apart from Christmas day.

Destinysdaughter · 28/12/2020 00:15

The city I live in has a walk in testing centre. They text you the results after an hour. I had had a dodgy tummy for a week so the Dr advised me to get a test
( negative)

Addicted2LoveIsland · 28/12/2020 00:23

In my area you can get free testing every few days.

ragged · 28/12/2020 00:38

I wonder how many MNers have never been tested. Seems like must be very few

CopperheadRoad · 28/12/2020 01:11

I had to “lie” to get a test as I had none of the three classic symptoms listed despite feeling horrendous. No risky behaviour and the only exposure I had to others was at the supermarket. I tested positive.

If I hadn’t been tested I could have put my elderly in laws at massive risk on Christmas Day (had I felt well enough to attend which I actually probably wouldn’t have done in the end).

The US CDC website has a comprehensive list of symptoms which is far more useful than the NHS info. I worry people with the infection who aren’t ill enough to be hospitalised, aren’t getting tested if they don’t have the three main symptoms. Surely, surely this is contributing to the spread and the testing criteria needs to be revised?

yuyubooboo · 28/12/2020 01:13

Or people are getting tests at work. I work for the nhs and should be tested far more often than I am anyway so when I had a cold this week thought I may as well and Lo and behold it was positive.

Heatherjayne1972 · 28/12/2020 06:50

Just lie about symptoms
No one checks

Jemma2907 · 28/12/2020 06:54

In our county (Tier 4), there are specific testing centres set up for people without symptoms. We are being encouraged to test. No-one is lying about having symptoms, it is called Community Testing and it is an effort to curb the asymptomatic spread.

IcyApril · 28/12/2020 07:43

Lying about symptoms to get a test, other than in the case of flying where people should be getting a private test (and many countries insist on a Fit to Fly certificate which you can only get with a private test.

I can see why people lie as despite there being the four main symptoms, there are a lot of asymptomsfic cases.

In the run up to Christmas I heard several times on the radio politicians and the like encouraging tests before seeing people.

KatherineJaneway · 28/12/2020 07:46

Where I am (London borough) tests are available to everyone, symptoms or not. You just turn up and get a test.

daisypond · 28/12/2020 07:49

I have never been tested, nor have the majority of people I know. I’m in Tier 4. My DD, who lives abroad, gets tested at work every two weeks.

Icenii · 28/12/2020 07:49

Tested 2 with Zoe app. DD and DH have it so they tested with me. Was for ear ringing! Negative. DD and DH had colds. Negative.

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