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Original poster

Ordering but not taking a test

13 replies

Crunchymum · 08/05/2021 10:40

I posted the other day about ordering a test after DC (6yo) had a coughing fit at bedtime.

She has/had a cold and I just assumed "her" cough would follow. But it hasn't. She hasn't coughed at home or school since (school took her, I gave all the info to them and they were fine)

My worry is that now we have the test, we'll get into trouble for not doing it?

I am so annoyed I ordered it so hastily. I feel terrible for wasting it.

But we are 60 hours on from ordering and the child doesn't have any symptoms?

Sorry to keep posting here, I feel like an idiot.

I am too embarrassed to ring 119 and ask, but maybe I should?

Any advice? Anyone know what happens if you don't do a test that you've been sent?

OP posts:
Northernsoulgirl45 · 08/05/2021 11:07

I have done the same with no comeback. I ordered a PCR as school requested it for return but they never went back

Northernsoulgirl45 · 08/05/2021 11:08

WellI say no come back. They may have chased but I used an email address I rarely access.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 08/05/2021 11:11

Thanks!

I am worried as I ticked that the child has symptoms, when she didn't.... (I expected she would develop a cough as she is a kid that always gets a cough with a cold but it never materialised)

Trying to keep within the rules but also don't want to test needlessly (she's had a few tests, bless her and gets quite distressed).

I promise I am a fully functioning adult, not sure what went wrong here Grin

OP posts:
Nootkah · 08/05/2021 11:19

What went wrong is that you ordered a test for an asymptomatic child by declaring that they were symptomatic when they weren't. The resources have been wasted. They'd only be more wasted if you did the test and sent it back. Next time dont order a test for an asymptomatic child!

Original poster
Crunchymum · 08/05/2021 11:23

@Nootkah

What went wrong is that you ordered a test for an asymptomatic child by declaring that they were symptomatic when they weren't. The resources have been wasted. They'd only be more wasted if you did the test and sent it back. Next time dont order a test for an asymptomatic child!
Thank you and yep I feel terrible.

And stupid.

OP posts:
PurpleSunrise · 08/05/2021 11:28

It’s one test! I doubt you will get any follow up from test and trace and if so it’s just basic procedure or automated, one test not being taken is not uncommon and not worth anyone’s time continuously following up on! Honestly don’t worry at all. (I work on covid testing projects)

Mrsjayy · 08/05/2021 11:33

We are allowed to order them here to test periodically with no symptoms Scottish government are encouraging testing . Anyway I wouldn't worry about it put the test away and it is there if you need it. We all know the virus is still around so he might need to test Again for school.

Totallydefeated · 08/05/2021 11:34

Next time dont order a test for an asymptomatic child!

To be fair, people would be less tempted to do this if the results came back quicker. Last time I had to test my child it took two days for the test kit to arrive, I turned it round on the day, but it wasn’t picked up from the post box that day, despite it being there well before the advertised collection time, and then when it finally arrived at the lab it was a full 48 hours before we were told it was (inevitably) negative. She lost a full week of school and I lost a week of work, basically for nothing. So you can bet I’ll be ordering a test at the first sign we might need one next time!

Original poster
Crunchymum · 08/05/2021 11:44

I ordered test at 10pm at night, my thinking was instead of waiting to the morning, it may arrive faster (it didn't)

I assume the test becomes null and void if not taken and returned within a certain time, I don't think I can just hang on to it for when we next need it.

Thanks for all the input. I'll try to chill out a bit now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Crunchymum · 08/05/2021 11:53

It actually wouldn't be a bad idea to provide primary pupils with tests to have at home, so when symptoms appear we can do the test immediately? It takes on average 4 days for a home test turnaround here (often 2 days waiting for the test!!). It would half the time?

I assume there is a good reason this isn't how things are done though? Too bureaucratic? Too expensive?

OP posts:
Totallydefeated · 08/05/2021 12:05

It actually wouldn't be a bad idea to provide primary pupils with tests to have at home, so when symptoms appear we can do the test immediately? It takes on average 4 days for a home test turnaround here (often 2 days waiting for the test!!). It would half the time?

Absolutely, this would be sensible and proportionate and take into account the need to minimise absence for both school kids and their worker parents.

Won’t happen then! Grin

Mistymountain · 08/05/2021 12:05

Several months ago I ordered a test. The test didn't arrive. Two weeks later a neighbour dropped the package off - it had been wrongly delivered. there was no point in doing the test by then (the symptoms had disappeared), but I've never had any follow up about the missing test.

sashagabadon · 08/05/2021 14:07

Just keep it and use it when/ if you need to. They don’t run out.
I get given 3 months worth of pcr’s at a time and use them weekly. They have expiry dates on them but it’s like 2023 or something

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