Special PCR arrived in post/Current test turnaround time

[muldersspeedos]

I received a "special" postal PCR that I hadn't ordered just before Christmas. The accompanying letter says that I'd received it because my medical records show I could be eligible for being a Guinea pig new treatments if I test positive. Fast forward to the weekend and I felt unwell with headaches, sore throat and slight fever. I'd had the sore throat a day or two but it had gone then come back along with headaches and neither were responding well to painkillers. I only felt unwell and had a fever for a day. The sore throat and headache he's have continued. I couldn't get a test on Saturday but got one today at the local walk in centre. I also sent off the special postal test. It's in a red box and everything! Maybe that was just to be festive though Has anyone else had one of the red boxed specials? How long did your result take if so? What's the wait at the moment for walk in tests? With the rise in cases I'm expecting to have to wait longer but hoping not as I feel fine and have meetings this week. I'm happy to isolate of course until I get my result.

Several members of my family developed symptoms or tested positive on LFT in the past week.

Two members of the family had been sent the email saying they may be eligible for treatment, and had been sent a priority PCR test (box has red stripe around the edge); in both cases the results came back within 24h.

The other affected family members managed to access regular (non-priority) PCR tests, either at a testing centre or by post; the results came back after 2-3 days.

Haha yep I got one of the special post pcrs 2 days after I tested positive for covid. I was also given the antivirals to take but considering I got better after 3 days decided not to bother taking them. Plus the fact it was manufactured and approved only a month ago or so the doctor said scared me so I thought no chance. Mine was Christmas time but I waited 3 days for my results back.