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Original poster

My postal PCR test came but... Its not a PCR test 🙄

104 replies

ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 19:41

The box says it is, but it actually contains 7 LFTs Confused

FFS. Took 4 days to arrive as well with bank holidays etc. Now I'll have to order another and I'll probs be out of isolation by the time I get a result anyway!

(Live rurally, can't drive, nearest test centre is not walking distance!)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
NYnewstart · 04/01/2022 20:47

My ds took a late pcr. He put when he’d started having symptoms(and when he started isolating) when he ordered the test.

His official isolation started from the pcr test!

Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:48

@NYnewstart

My ds took a late pcr. He put when he’d started having symptoms(and when he started isolating) when he ordered the test.

His official isolation started from the pcr test!

😱 Please no!!! Surely not...?
OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 20:52

There must be loads of people still waiting for postal PCR kits because of the BH weekend and then say they come tomorrow, then they have to send them back off-they'll be isolating for way longer than days if they go from the PCR!
I wonder if it makes a difference if you register a positive LFT first?

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 20:52

*10 days

Bagamoyo1 · 04/01/2022 20:54

OP I assume you’ve had a positive lateral flow? So I would test daily and once it goes negative assuming it’s after 7 days, I’d come out of isolation and consider it over. What will a PCR add now?

Danniotley · 04/01/2022 20:56

I got a pcr today in a grey plastic envelope. No use as was missing the swab which is a pretty important part.

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 20:57

@Bagamoyo1

OP I assume you’ve had a positive lateral flow? So I would test daily and once it goes negative assuming it’s after 7 days, I’d come out of isolation and consider it over. What will a PCR add now?
Does it make any difference to your medical records or Covid passport thingy if a PCR test never happens? Not sure how important it is (unless for work proof as a PP said)
AnxiousHeffalump · 04/01/2022 20:57

We got a PCR in the post last week addressed to someone who lived here ten years ago.

whataballbag · 04/01/2022 21:00

I've a spare one (for some reason got posted 3 instead of the 2 requested) if you're local to me i can leave it on the garden wall for you Grin

Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 21:00

@Bagamoyo1

OP I assume you’ve had a positive lateral flow? So I would test daily and once it goes negative assuming it’s after 7 days, I’d come out of isolation and consider it over. What will a PCR add now?
The PCR would allow me to claim a covid self isolation grant, which would be pretty helpful as I have missed work on days that I'd usually get extra pay for!! And it'll satisfy work that I really couldnt go in over new year. Its a time that a lot of people get mystery illnesses in my line of work Hmm, although I think they know I'm not like that (I don't actually drink for a start!).
OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 21:00

So it looks like you either can't get one sent at all, or you get the wrong thing, someone else's or one with bits missing. Mmmm.
And that's before all the priority post box two hours before collection malarkey.

SouthOfFrance · 04/01/2022 21:02

I don't understand all the doubters on this thread Confused

Sounds really annoying especially as you can't get to a drive in centre easily. I can imagine a lot of people would just come out of isolation early if they can't get access to the correct test.

Bagamoyo1 · 04/01/2022 21:02

I don’t think it makes a difference to records. People can have Covid multiple times, so having it documented makes no difference. It’s just for national stats really. My friend’s whole family had it, her son got it last - positive lateral flows and symptoms. They just isolated as per the rules, and delayed his first vaccine until 12 weeks had passed. There was no need for him to have a PCR.

Bagamoyo1 · 04/01/2022 21:04

Yes I can see why it may be necessary for work and grants.

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 21:05

@Bagamoyo1

I don’t think it makes a difference to records. People can have Covid multiple times, so having it documented makes no difference. It’s just for national stats really. My friend’s whole family had it, her son got it last - positive lateral flows and symptoms. They just isolated as per the rules, and delayed his first vaccine until 12 weeks had passed. There was no need for him to have a PCR.
That makes sense. Bearing in mind there's people completely asymptomatic who would never even do a test of any sort I suppose.
SheilaWilcox · 04/01/2022 21:07

Call the 119 Covid line and expect similar 'are you sure' type questions.

I've done both post and drive through PCR's and home LFTs and they all work in a fairly similar way with regards to collecting the sample. It's only how they are processed that differs.
If you've already had a positive PCR, you MAY continue to get positive PCR's for up to 90days. Your isolation starts from the day you got a positive PCR or the day OR first symptoms, whichever was first.
If you are double jabbed, you can LFT on day 6 and 7 to 'free' yourself, but should continue to take precautions to prevent spread 'just in case.'

imnottoofussed · 04/01/2022 21:08

I ordered one on Saturday late at night. It arrived yesterday before lunch so no problem with the bank holidays and weekends etc. Mine didn't have a purple bag it was grey and was also already registered to me. I wonder if people have been stealing them when unregistered. I also ordered some lfts yesterday not sure what will turn up if anything

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 21:11

My friend had a look today and couldn't even get a PCR test sent out as there aren't any.

Passthecake30 · 04/01/2022 21:11

I also have a spare one like @whataballbag as they sent me 3 rather than 2. Strange!

SouthOfFrance · 04/01/2022 21:15

Could you ask on a local FB site if anyone has a spare one you could use? Someone might have one knocking around?

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 21:19

@SouthOfFrance

Could you ask on a local FB site if anyone has a spare one you could use? Someone might have one knocking around?
Are they not assigned to the person requesting them?
Spottybotty20 · 04/01/2022 21:23

That blue style box is the normal lft box for me. I’m in wales and I keep reading that we have supplied England with a load of our lft tests.
Not sure why you have received it instead of a pcr though

OnTheBoardwalk · 04/01/2022 21:30

@Danniotley

I got a pcr today in a grey plastic envelope. No use as was missing the swab which is a pretty important part.
This

My PCRs have come in a plastic envelope with a box I have to make myself to post back. Really annoying as the tube was smashed in one of them

You can’t give PCR tests to anyone else, they are allocated to you

whataballbag · 04/01/2022 21:34

The postal ones aren't assigned to you, hence why you have to faff about registering them Smile

whataballbag · 04/01/2022 21:35

Ooh we could trade for some lateral flows like a weird black market situation