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Original poster

PCR result waiting time

105 replies

Dottydoodoo · 07/12/2021 10:41

I know this has probably been done to death and I’m sorry, but does anyone mind filling me with a glimmer of hope regarding the waiting time for PCR results. It’s just come up to 24 hours now for DS’s result which I know probably isn’t that long, I just wish I could stop checking my phone every five minutes!

OP posts:
ineedacupoftea · 07/12/2021 13:15

Most have come back within 24 hours but I had one last Thursday that wasn’t back within 72 so I chased it by calling 119. They told me that the bar code hadn’t registered properly and the results were probably ready but couldn’t be linked to me. They linked it on the phone, and sure enough I got a text almost immediately on hanging up the call (despite them warning it might be a further 24-48 hour wait).
I was annoyed I hadn’t chased sooner as I had to miss two important events, but I was following their instructions not to chase for 72 hours (and had read on another thread that some results were taking 60 hours +). Next time I might try to chase sooner, if only to ask them if my bar code was registered correctly.

UCUNoMore · 07/12/2021 13:30

I’m waiting 28 hours now - since 9am yesterday. All other results have been back in under 24 hours.

Original poster
Dottydoodoo · 07/12/2021 14:00

We are coming up to 28 hours now too 😬 and typically DS is bouncing off the walls with barely a cough in sight now.
I tried calling 119 earlier, they said too early to chase as I suspected but they told me that the barcode was registered at 10.15 yesterday which I suppose is a good thing?? The part of my brain which goes to the worst case scenario keeps thinking that the test is lost or something, but I’m hoping the barcode being registered means it is processing?

OP posts:
Auntycorruption · 07/12/2021 14:23

We had a wait of over 70 hours this weekend...

espresso14 · 07/12/2021 14:33

Does it vary by test Centre? Me and a few others using a walk in, and really quick results, 8am test, result 3am next morning. Really good.

Original poster
Dottydoodoo · 07/12/2021 14:35

@Auntycorruption omg 😱 that’s crazy!

OP posts:
ButtercupBlue · 07/12/2021 14:40

Posted Sunday just before lunchtime. Royal Mail tracker said it got there 11.30 last night. Just had a text /email result through now (negative.) So a little over 48hrs.

Icanseeclearlynow12 · 07/12/2021 14:44

Posted my daughter's 3pm Monday and still waiting for results. For some reason the Royal Mail tracker can't track it's progress. Her symptoms have gone and she's desperate to get back to school!

stopringingme · 07/12/2021 14:56

Some I had back in around 24 hrs
One took 72 hours
One look 5 days ! this was a couple of weeks ago.
ALL negative - back to school straight away !
All postal ones as DD has Disabilities and it is easier to do the postal ones at home.
Always get email hours before text.

kirinm · 07/12/2021 15:11

We've just had one of two test results back (negative). Just under 24 hours.

mrsdolittle · 07/12/2021 15:40

I posted a PCR test 5 pm yesterday. Result back by 10.30 am today.

I was amazed!

Treaclepie19 · 07/12/2021 15:41

Took four days the time before last. Last time 3 days. Currently awaiting one that we posted today.

toomuchlaundry · 07/12/2021 15:44

I went to a walk in testing centre Sunday lunchtime. Was told I should have my result by Tuesday. Actually got my result late Sunday evening. Was really impressed

Jumpingintochristmas · 07/12/2021 15:47

Drive through was really busy yesterday where I live. Currently 28hrs and counting.

RosieLemonadeAndSugar · 07/12/2021 15:55

Both times they've been done about lunchtime 12ish and had the result by 9am the next day. Email comes before though strangely sometimes.

EatYourFive · 07/12/2021 16:31

Been just over 24 hours since I posted the test. Nothing yet and completely symptom-free DD is desperate to go back to school tomorrow.

nomorespaghetti · 07/12/2021 16:33

We did a drive through one on Saturday for DS, took 42 hours to come back. Negative, thankfully - turned out to be hand foot and mouth instead!

Snooper22 · 07/12/2021 16:41

About 3 days for a postal test and 24 hrs for walk in test.

yikesanotherbooboo · 07/12/2021 17:06

I've had 2 recently; 23 hours and 25 hours

DobbyTheHouseElk · 07/12/2021 17:12

Sunday drive thu was 24 hrs

Waiting for a postal test I posted yesterday. Should have done the drive through yesterday instead but it’s so hit and miss when it’s open .

honeylemonteaforme · 07/12/2021 17:14

Drive thru at 8am, result at 1am (SE yesterday/this am)

alloutofcareunits · 07/12/2021 17:21

DD did one at drive through at 9.30am yesterday after positive LF. Still waiting for the results so over 30 hours now

Pat123dev · 07/12/2021 17:24

Tested at 12pm results at 11pm that night!

2WeeksTillChristmas · 07/12/2021 17:28

Did you go to a drive through or postage?

Drive through was 30 hours afew days ago

And afew weeks ago the postage one was 8 days

DobbyTheHouseElk · 07/12/2021 17:32

8 days???!!!!! Bloody hell.