What happens if I continually can't get PCR?!

[eatsleepfarmrepeat]

Tested positive on LFT on Tuesday and did another one this morning, still positive. I have tried continually to book a PCR but no luck so far - do I need one? Can I just isolate and continue to do LFT until they're negative?

Just do the isolation period. You could test positive on lateral flow for quite some time.

I've got as far as waiting on a confirmation code to book a home test but as yet no code has come through

Home tests currently showing as available on booking site.

@MrsWhites not for me they're not?

How strange. This is what it says when I try to book....

Just go to the testing site. When I went for my (booked) PCR, 2 people had just turned up and were given tests. When my OH couldn't get booked in he just turned up and was tested without a problem also.

They say available but once you get to the part where it says we have sent a code to your email the email with the code never comes through

@JessicaKenny2018

They say available but once you get to the part where it says we have sent a code to your email the email with the code never comes through

Oh right, that’s a waste of time then isn’t it. The situation with testing or the lack of tests available is really starting to get out of hand isn’t it!

I'm a bit loathed to just drive to the testing site without an appointment as it's a good 30mins drive each way and our local media are reporting (unsubstantiated) claims that walk ins are being turned away.

Do I NEED a PCR? If I just assume the LFT is correct and isolate accordingly, is that suffice?

There was a thread recently around the need for a PCR. The consensus was its useful to have on medical records in case of long covid. It was also used as evidence when travelling or if you get a positive LFT in the next 90 days.
My friend turned up to a walk in with no appointment and get tested but appreciate every area will be different.

I know a few people who didn't have one. Ds2s came back inconclusive but it took so long (home test) that there was no point sending off for another one

Just isolate. You know you’ve got it. Follow the isolation rules.
We’re going to have to move away from community PCR testing at some point.

I'm having the same issue - no email confirmation code ever came through and no available slots. 119 advised me to try a local testing site so will give that a go this afternoon.

Most employers expect a pcr result if they intend to give full pay during the isolation period. Schools also likely to insist on pcr. If neither of those apply I'd be tempted not to go to the hassle of a pcr at the moment.

As other posters have said, it may be useful to have it on your medical records for any ongoing issues or travel/other necessary testing.

I'd persist trying to book today, then if no luck I'd go about 5pm to the nearest testing site as a walk in.

Best of luck.

Have you looked on your local councils website for a walk in site?

My DD needed one today (cold symptoms incl. new cough, LFTs negative but works in retail so can’t go in until proved either way with PCR).

No availability in England at 8.30am on main booking website but the local council website gave details of a walk-in site about 20 mins away.

It seems to move around local towns each day. DH took her straight there for 9 and back home before 10. Just the wait for results now!

We are in the same boat - it's actually now too late for DH to confirm his. We are just isolating for 10 days and leaving it at that. In a way I don't mind, I'd rather the PCRs went to people who hadn't had positive lateral flows etc.

Schools can’t insist on a PCR, as long as you isolate according to the rules. No one has to take a PCR.

And with regards to long covid - I have had long covid after catching covids right at the beginning. They weren't testing then so no confirmation. Hasn't made any difference at all to my 'treatment' (bracketed because there is no LC treatment of note)

Well, if the pcr confirmed covid, Tuesday would be day zero. If you started isolating from then and did LFTs on Monday and Tuesday (day 6and 7) you could end your isolation after next Tuesdays test if both are negative (assuming you’re vaccinated) So I’d do that, and if in the meantime you get manage to get a pcr and it’s negative you can stop isolating.

@evenflo3 my sister is the same, had long covid but was never confirmed and she has regular clinic appts no problem.

My employer brought back the home working rule after BoJos announcement just before xmas so I'm wfh anyway.

My nearest walk in is the county test site which I've already previously stated is 30mins drive each way - we're farmers in rural Cumbria! I really don't want an hour round trip when the local media are reporting that they're not accepting walk ins (or doing any testing at all, the photos on SM are suggesting the testing site has no tests?)

If long covid is my only serious concern I think I'll take the risk, I also need diesel and I'm not sure how that would work, my local station is nothing jazzy like pay at pump!

I'm the same with the no confirmation code coming through (Scotland) for the PCR home testing kits for what it's worth. Quite annoying when you've gone to the issue of filling it all out!

OP I'm the same in that I'm rural so my walk in and drive through are 1 hour away but even they say they are fully booked out now, don't want to get there to be turned away....

If you’ve ordered previous tests it may let you use that code. I’ve just ordered home tests and entered the code from a previous email as like PP said no code was coming through

Although I haven’t had an email confirming order but it say say confirmed at the end

*did say