Positive PCR result only 30 mins after test?

[TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme]

As thread title suggests, I got a positive PCR message only 30 minutes after taking the test.

The timeline is

10.00 am take LFT. Result positive
10.15 am get confirmation email reporting positive LFT
11.00 to 11.10 had PCR test at test centre
11.30 receive text message to say test is positive and fill in test and trace details.

I don't disagree the test is positive as my LFT was positive, I am just wondering how on earth they can get the result so quickly.

Is it entirely possible that within 20 to 30 mins, the courier came, collected the samples, got the samples to a lab, the lab tested the samples and the results were produced?

All very odd

Some of the test centres do testing on site I think.

Is it possible the text also relates to the lft you reported? Just that it's come through later than the email?

There's a site near me that sometimes does the testing on site - might be the case for you? I wouldn't be complaining!

Mobile CoVid test processing units are rotating around various testing centers so that results from these centers are available within a few hours.

Maybe the text relates to the LFT rather than the PCR

I had my results an hour later a few weeks ago. They had a mobile lab on site

Same test centre as OP, same morning. My test was done at 9.30 and I got texts to say I was a confirmed case less than an hour later.
I'm also used to results not being able to be available until the next morning and find it weird.

I got the track and trace stuff off the back of my ltf before I even went for my PCR. It’s more likely related to that, assuming you reported result online?

And you’ll get it all again after PCR result!

There’s a lot of trialling of fast PCR machines and cartridges at the moment AFAIK, could be that they’re using new kit.

Have a really close look at the text. It might relate to the lft.

I thought a PCR alone took a good 2 hours. It did when I did them at uni... But that would be maybe 7 years ago so I'm maybe out of date.

We had this and it turns out if you have a positive LFT you can receive multiple text messages. So now I give different emails for the different tests.

The text I got wasn't clear which test it was for but it was not the usual results text you get (I've has several negative tests).

I had some texts that were clearly about the lft and which came from NHSTESTS but then different texts from NHSWALESTTP that said I was a confirmed case of covid. And followed up with the link to fill in the track and trace info.

Then my family got a text to say they were a close contact of a covid case.

When they get their standard results emails - prob in the morning - I will see what comes through for me.

Thanks all

Having not had a positive test before, I can't confirm if the text is from the LFT or the PCR. However, as it has all the information about having to contact the tracing system and have then subsequently been given a date to isolate from, I would say it was as a result of the PCR.

The nice chap at the testing centre pointed out the courier box to me and he told me it gets picked up regularly so I know they do not have a test testing centre at that drive through site.

If the text had come though a couple of hours later, I would not be doubting it. Its just that it came though so quickly........

I am certainly not ignoring it though, with such a positive lft, its not going to be anything other than a positive pcr so have happily started my period of house arrest by getting out my embroidery

Ah ha. That makes sense. Thank you

That was to Yellow85 btw. The reply function didn't work

Amber that's a good call and will do that in the future for DH and DC

Could you upload a pic (sensitive info taken out obviously)?

Having not had a positive test before, I can't confirm if the text is from the LFT or the PCR.

It should tell you on the text?

The PCR text has changed actually, that was an old one - it says this now...

Ignore that's exactly the same

Eltonsglasses dutifully ignored, but for the record, here are both of the texts....

Ohhh sorry that wasn't helpful of me at all

The second is in relation to the first.

The first is the nhs saying your ltf is positive

The test and protect (what ever the name is in wales) has received the information from that and text you in the second one.