Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

DD tested positive & has symptoms - postal PCR or go to test centre?

61 replies

daisybank2 · 10/12/2021 10:09

Me & DH have different opinions.
DD has had 2 positive lateral flows & mild covid symptoms.
I think she should do PCR by post, rather than go to test centre (close by and walkable) so doesn't leave the house and potentially infect others.

But DH thinks for quicker result we should go to walk in test centre.
99% sure she has covid - but obviously need the official PCR result. What would you do?!

OP posts:
Moonopoly · 10/12/2021 10:11

Do you have the option of going to a drive through by car?

Original poster
daisybank2 · 10/12/2021 10:13

Not that close by, and then I have to sit in a car with her for 30 mins each way!

OP posts:
EmmaOvary · 10/12/2021 10:16

To limit your own contact with her in the car, I'd do the postal one. Results are pretty quick these days.

EmmaOvary · 10/12/2021 10:17

Sorry, just saw you say the centre is walkable . All measures are taken to prevent spread in these places so as long as she masks up and keeps her distance on the walk I wouldn't have thought she would infect anyone.

ColettesEarrings · 10/12/2021 10:17

Definitely test centre, you'll know within 24 hrs, you could be waiting five days on total for a postal test result!

Original poster
daisybank2 · 10/12/2021 10:18

Yes EmmaOvary, but also could pop to walk in locally but then worry she could infect people in the test centre so I may overrule DH and wait for postal PCR!

OP posts:
LilyPond2 · 10/12/2021 10:19

Postal test sounds the way to go. Is there a particular reason why you need the result back quickly?

ColettesEarrings · 10/12/2021 10:19

Plus if you've already been around her on three two days before symptoms started, an extra 30mins in the car won't make a blind bit of difference.

CraftyGin · 10/12/2021 10:21

Walk in test centre for quicker results.

They are strict on face coverings, hand sanitisation, and social distancing.

They are designed for potentially positive people.

SilenceOfThePrams · 10/12/2021 10:22

Both of you mask up, she sits back left, you drive from front right, windows open and drive.

Or walk through will be fine - they are all masked up and do everything from a long distance - last time we did one they even had 2m long grabber sticks to deliver pens and tissues etc!

EvilRingahBitch · 10/12/2021 10:22

Test centre is set up by definition to minimise contact between staff and probably infectious testees. That's kind of the point. Though TBF the outdoors ones like my local are even better.

Original poster
daisybank2 · 10/12/2021 10:23

Just my DH wanting test result back quickly so we're 100% sure! But really I'm 99.9% sure she has Covid, so the PCR is just a box ticking exercise in my mind. Think we'll wait for postal PCR.

OP posts:
SpringRainbow · 10/12/2021 10:26

I would opt for the test center but then I hate waiting for the results and I like to know asap.

It’s up to you really.

GuidingSpirit · 10/12/2021 10:26

Just to add not all test centres are giving results back in 24hrs. I went to one first thing yesterday morning as i need to know if i can go somewhere on Sunday - i had to queue for the first time ever and my results aren't back yet. Clearly lots of people getting tested. I could have just gone for postal.

SpringRainbow · 10/12/2021 10:26

The test centres are really well set up, you don’t go anywhere near the staff.

Roomba · 10/12/2021 10:29

When my kids had it, we walked up to the test centre (no car, went straight there and back obviously and wore masks the whole time). Test centres are designed bearing in mind that there WILL be positive people in there. It was preferable for us to do that and get the results within 24 hours, as I needed to know ASAP which of us had it (only DS2 had positive LFT at first).

PurpleDaisies · 10/12/2021 10:30

I’d go to the walk in.

Dancingalong · 10/12/2021 10:33

I’d go walk in, i know someone is stuff waiting on results from a postal PCR done on Sunday. I wouldn’t want to wait that long.

RedToothBrush · 10/12/2021 10:33

All go in the car for a pcr. Mask up. Open windows. Get her to sit in the back

Get it over and done with quickly. And you two will both also know if you have it.

PurpleDaisies · 10/12/2021 10:35

@daisybank2

Yes EmmaOvary, but also could pop to walk in locally but then worry she could infect people in the test centre so I may overrule DH and wait for postal PCR!
The test centre will be expecting people with symptoms to be there. What’s the point of them otherwise?

You’re overthinking this

Cattitudes · 10/12/2021 10:39

I would go to the walk in so you both know sooner if Omicron and need to isolate too. Less likely to get lost and that is what the testing centre is set up for.

Wellington17 · 10/12/2021 10:39

I ordered a postal test on Tuesday night, it arrived Weds lunchtime, the test was picked up from the post box at 6pm Weds, results arrived 6am this morning (Friday). Was impressed with the speed!

halcyondays · 10/12/2021 10:40

I’d do postal. Didn’t have to wait that much longer for them when we did them.

astoundedgoat · 10/12/2021 10:44

Our test centre is a 2 minute walk and super quiet (it's in a funny location so I think people don't know it exists?) so when we all had covid we just walked over. The wind was howling through the room and it was just us and one or two members of staff. Results the following morning.

A friend just did her PCR by post and it took 5 days and came back inconclusive.

catchyjem · 10/12/2021 10:45

I don't get the urgency of needing to know? I'd get a postal test. I ordered one on Monday. It arrived Tuesday, back in the post box Tuesday afternoon and got the result Thursday afternoon. I don't think that's long to wait. Especially if you are ill and have to stay at home anyway.

Swipe left for the next trending thread