Home lateral flow tests

[TheLetterZ]

If you have school aged children or are school staff you can collect lateral flow tests.

You can find your nearest collection point maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

You can collect 2 packs of 14 tests.

Can you just walk into one of the LFT centres and ask?

They only gave me one pack today, with bad grace. The woman looked like she wanted to smack me in the face when I asked if I could have another as per the gov website. I left with just one pack so I'll have to go back next week.

No thanks

My DS’s school are sending them home with them.

The government are specifically encouraging households to test. You can order online if you don’t want to go to a pick up site

Sorry you linked the page to have a test, to pick them up to use at home this is the page, unless you can pick them up at either?

find-covid-19-rapid-test-sites.maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

Directed from here

I ask about picking them up from either because the map with the places to pick them up have none near me or anywhere I need to go so would be making a trip just for that. I'm happy to pick them up rather than getting them posted, but I'm not going to make a special trip. I did get some posted the other day though.

You can order smaller packs online - all free and delivered to your door. I ordered mine on Monday evening and they arrived in the post today - Wednesday morning. Here's the link:

www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

I got some posted, took less than 24 hours. I was impressed. They’ll offer a real peace of mind as my parents do some childcare for my younger child and it’ll be nice to keep checking ourselves!

Childcare bubble people can do them too.

Schools did start giving them out but they've now been told not to.

www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

You can order them online

Not in Scotland then?

I picked some up very easily. The site advises to collect rather than use delivery if you can. And since I passed one of the sites on the way back from work it was no bother. LFTs are nowhere near as bad to experience as the PCR tests in case that is putting people off

I get mine from school in Scotland and all teachers, school staff and pupils S4-6 can get them from their school.

Weirdly adult ones come in packs of 7. Ones for school kids in packs of 9.

@UmbilicusProfundus

I picked some up very easily. The site advises to collect rather than use delivery if you can. And since I passed one of the sites on the way back from work it was no bother. LFTs are nowhere near as bad to experience as the PCR tests in case that is putting people off

Errrr....what? You still have to swab your throat and nose. How is that different to a PCR test?

The difference is what happens to the sample.

You have to do the LFT exactly the same as the PCR tests. Throat and nose swabs.

@Lynora

You have to do the LFT exactly the same as the PCR tests. Throat and nose swabs.

Precisely. If people think differently then these home LF tests are going to be horribly inaccurate.

Ordering online is easy and mine came the next day.
I’m surprised this isn’t better publicised

@UmbilicusProfundus

I picked some up very easily. The site advises to collect rather than use delivery if you can. And since I passed one of the sites on the way back from work it was no bother. LFTs are nowhere near as bad to experience as the PCR tests in case that is putting people off

What on earth makes you say that?

I’m a teacher and have been doing the LFD tests twice weekly since January-they are EXACTLY the same process as the 3 PCR tests I’ve had. Throat swab, then nose.

I think it’s really important to give people the correct information on threads like this!

They’ll offer a real peace of mind

They shouldn’t. The false negative rate is very high.

Regarding the tests being different to PCRs- the swab bit is obviously exactly the same. However what you then do with it is a lot easier. I’ve been to drive through tests centres and I found the having to put it in the right bag etc while being told what to do quite stressful. No stress at all doing these.

I think it’s well documented that they won’t pick up all cases. But If they pick up SOME cases which wouldn’t be found otherwise, that’s a good thing?

@Frazzled2207

Regarding the tests being different to PCRs- the swab bit is obviously exactly the same. However what you then do with it is a lot easier. I’ve been to drive through tests centres and I found the having to put it in the right bag etc while being told what to do quite stressful. No stress at all doing these.

I think it’s well documented that they won’t pick up all cases. But If they pick up SOME cases which wouldn’t be found otherwise, that’s a good thing?

I am doing them (as are my family members) with that thought in mind as I am aware that I have very little else going on in my workplace that might help mitigate/detect risk.

BUT, there are issues that might make the LFT testing worse than not having it in place at all.

1. People getting a negative result in a LFD assume that means they don’t have covid and act (recklessly) accordingly.

1. People (and parents of children) with symptoms that would have otherwise means they isolate and get a PCR test, don’t bother as they can just do one of the LFD tests that the government are sending home to anyone who wants them instead.

I am to worried about 1 and now you think of it 2 as well.
Perhaps this is partly why no so well publicised though as they only want responsible people to bother

My understanding from having a fair few LFT's recently is that if you have symptoms you should not being having an LFT, you need to book a PCR. Only test with the LFT when asymptomatic.

I'm going to collect mine box today.

Does anyone know if you should still be testing twice weekly if you have been vaccinated ? DM is in our household and does much childcare but doesn't really want to do twice weekly LFT. She's was jabbed 3 weeks ago.

My box, not mine box....

@ginsparkles

It's completely optional