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Original poster

How long are postal Covid test results currently taking?

56 replies

TerraNovaTwo · 04/07/2021 10:14

Posted tests 3pm Friday. Really need to return to work tomorrow and DC to school as they are missing out on end of year - especially DC1 as it's their last year of primary!

DC2 had symptoms on Thursday, so sent away for PCR tests for all of us. Have since improved. Did a lateral flow test today and it came up negative. Holding on to hope we get negative result today or early hours of tomorrow.

OP posts:
KellyBell · 04/07/2021 10:18

I have to do weekly postal PCR tests for work each Wednesday, posted in a 9am collection priority box and results are usually back Friday/Saturday each week.

Original poster
TerraNovaTwo · 04/07/2021 10:21

Thank you @KellyBell

OP posts:
KeepingOnKeepingUp · 04/07/2021 10:25

Yes, same here - posted one on Friday at 3pm, nothing back yet.

Stinkysteamy · 04/07/2021 10:26

Posted for 11am Saturday post. results back 11am Monday.

Original poster
TerraNovaTwo · 04/07/2021 10:51

@KeepingOnKeepingUp I wonder if there's a surge in testing? I'm in Cambs if that helps.

I called 119 to check all three tests were registered properly and they are. They can only investigate after their target of 72 hours from posting to result.

@Stinkysteamy That's exactly 48 hours. Here's hoping!

OP posts:
HorriderHenry · 04/07/2021 10:54

Posted 3pm Monday, results 11.30pm Tuesday

lmrcpr · 04/07/2021 12:22

Posted on thursday, still no result spoke to 119 at 7 this morning and they are chasing it. I really need to be back in work and cant understand how differnt people are getting them back sooner

Original poster
TerraNovaTwo · 04/07/2021 12:48

@lmrcpr Oh that's not good! I should have ordered our tests with me as the primary tester as I'm an essential worker. I ordered DC2 as primary tester as he had/has a cough. DC1 and I are both without symptoms.

I would have thought that being within 30 miles of testing labs would almost guarantee a quicker turnaround.

Either staffing is low this weekend, Royal Mail are slow with delivery or there's a surge in testing. Or a combination of all.

Now wish I'd not ordered tests as DC2's cough is much better and infrequent and DC1 is missing out on last days of primary. 😢

OP posts:
lauren234 · 04/07/2021 13:52

I'm having the same problem, posted test Friday morning and not heard anything yet, need to get back to work.

Original poster
TerraNovaTwo · 04/07/2021 14:15

It seems to be mixed. I wonder why my test result over Xmas took less time.
Just about 48 hours since I put it through the priority post box. I do not want to unnecessary stay off..

OP posts:
ResilienceWanker · 04/07/2021 14:35

I posted yesterday for a 3pm collection, and got the result at noon today! Was super impressed by the speed, but I think it went to a lab in the same city as me (in Scotland). And it was positive Sad so maybe they are prioritised over negative ones - though I'd have thought it would all be automated.

Hope you get them soon, and you can get back to work/school.

ButterflyBitch · 04/07/2021 14:42

@ResilienceWanker

I posted yesterday for a 3pm collection, and got the result at noon today! Was super impressed by the speed, but I think it went to a lab in the same city as me (in Scotland). And it was positive Sad so maybe they are prioritised over negative ones - though I'd have thought it would all be automated.

Hope you get them soon, and you can get back to work/school.

Did you? I did the same for my daughter but haven’t heard anything yet. We aren’t in Scotland though.
Original poster
TerraNovaTwo · 04/07/2021 14:45

@ResilienceWanker sorry to hear that. Hope isolation goes quickly for you. I'd imagine being in city you get a quicker result.

Trying to focus on reading my book and avoid thinking about it. DC's sports day this week Sad

OP posts:
ResilienceWanker · 04/07/2021 15:03

Thanks! It's been pishing down with rain, so can't say I'm sad to not have to go out...And DS is on holiday, and I've basically given him permission to spend as long as he wants on the PlayStation Blush, so he's ok too.

crimsonlake · 04/07/2021 15:30

I do a couple weekly for work, sometimes takes 24 hrs at other times 48 hrs.
Very oddly I gave my latest one to a friend to post on her way home from work on Thurs about 4pm, by 8pm that evening I had a text saying that the result was negative. No idea how this happened!

Original poster
TerraNovaTwo · 04/07/2021 17:31

So it's been 50 hours since posting, 47 since registration. If only I had thought about getting the Royal mail tracking number off the purple label on the box. At least I'd be able to see if if/when it was received at the lab. Have read posts on here about tests going missing and not getting results or getting them in 6 - 7 days ..

OP posts:
lmrcpr · 04/07/2021 17:36

75bhours for me and still wating.

NelleBee · 04/07/2021 17:43

Posted 5 tests yesterday for a 3pm collection, got results back in dribs and drabs today between 2-4pm

MarthaJonesPhone · 04/07/2021 18:20

I've just got off the phone from 119.

Kids tests posted Thursday afternoon .

Apparently there are no results yet, which they explained meant that they hadn't been tested yet!

They're calling back tomorrow, hopefully with results.

Original poster
TerraNovaTwo · 04/07/2021 19:18

@NelleBee Were results by text or email or both?

OP posts:
CrabbyCat · 04/07/2021 19:28

We did an in-person test first thing Friday morning (which we drove 30 min for), there is a big lab in the same city. The last couple of times we have been getting same day results from morning tests, this time we didn't get them until 8 am yesterday so I think they results may be slightly slower than they have been - I'm guessing they are busier than they were a month ago.

Fingers crossed your results come back soon.

FizzyPink · 04/07/2021 19:29

I posted mine Friday afternoon and still not had the results.

thenewduchessofhastings · 04/07/2021 19:41

Mine was posted 2pm Friday and still nothing.

NelleBee · 04/07/2021 20:00

@TerraNovaTwo both text and email

Looneytune253 · 04/07/2021 20:21

We posted Friday morning (afternoon collection) and had results sat about 4pm