Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

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
NorthernChinchilla · 04/01/2022 21:38

Weirdly my husband got sent a PCR test the other day. Hadn't ordered one Confused

I've ordered various LFTs, but this was just the one PCR. I've always done the ordering, not him, and we don't have the same surname, so baffled!

AnyFucker · 04/01/2022 21:40

😱 Please no!!! Surely not...?

Your covid pass is not reinstated until the full 10 days after a positive pcr test but your days of isolation are counted back from your 1st day of symptoms

There is a 3 day difference between my 2 dates as I struggled to get the pcr on NY Eve

Idontknowlondon · 04/01/2022 21:47

My LFTs came in a grey bag, as did my postal PCR. The PCR was very different inside though.

OnTheBoardwalk · 04/01/2022 21:48

PCR tests are registered to you personally. Annoyingly you can’t cancel a test assigned to you. I tried to do it for my smashed test and was told no sorry you just need to ignore all the texts and mails you are going to get sent to you

My postal PCR test came but... Its not a PCR test 🙄
whataballbag · 04/01/2022 21:49

@OnTheBoardwalk

PCR tests are registered to you personally. Annoyingly you can’t cancel a test assigned to you. I tried to do it for my smashed test and was told no sorry you just need to ignore all the texts and mails you are going to get sent to you
I had to register mine! Feel like I've been done 😔
OnTheBoardwalk · 04/01/2022 21:49

@Idontknowlondon

My LFTs came in a grey bag, as did my postal PCR. The PCR was very different inside though.
Yes agree it was a thicker tube that held the swab once you’ve placed it in the tube to send back to them
Sleepyblueocean · 04/01/2022 21:50

Last summer I ordered a box of lateral flows and got sent a purple bag with the lateral flow box and a PCR test that I hadn't ordered.

whataballbag · 04/01/2022 21:51

For my home pcr a few days ago

My postal PCR test came but... Its not a PCR test 🙄
Somuddled · 04/01/2022 22:02

Just before Christmas I ordered ONE PCR by post. 2 grey envelopes turned up each with 2 purple ones inside. 3 of them had PCRs one had LFT. All arrived so late that I'd already sorted another test and had the results back Ridiculous.

Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 22:09

@whataballbag

For my home pcr a few days ago
Yeah so that's the same email I got! And I thought I'd ordered a replacement PCR online earlier today but so far I've not had an email about that one yet and now it says there are no home PCR tests available so who knows what will or won't arrive Hmm
OP posts:
NeverEndingFireworks · 04/01/2022 22:10

@whataballbag

The postal ones aren't assigned to you, hence why you have to faff about registering them Smile
they've just changed it - they are now assigned to the person ordering it. Posted one yesterday.
NYnewstart · 04/01/2022 22:11

@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!

Reading about the covid pass, it might have been that I mean that started from his pcr date. Not entirely sure.

Tbh he waited until he’d had two negative lateral flow tests which took him to day 12 anyway and then went out regardless. He took it from his symptoms starting.

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 04/01/2022 22:13

I hope you manage to get sorted. As you need proof of positive pcr I would still do it no matter how late it comes. My husband still tested positive a week after he was showing negative on a lateral flow. Apparently can show positive for up to 90 days.

KiloWhat · 04/01/2022 22:16

@whataballbag

The postal ones aren't assigned to you, hence why you have to faff about registering them Smile
Annoyingly they are now. Due to me and OH both ordering one for DC due to lack of communication we had one in stock which saved us waiting for delivery.
Lottle · 04/01/2022 22:27

Someone else may have already put this but it is it possible your PCR is on the way at the lateral flows have been ordered by another member of the family, to do with work/school etc?

ilovebagpuss · 04/01/2022 22:31

I think the packers are having the odd melt down or run out of stuff so just shove anything in. I’ve had LFT boxes with no little tubes and also some with tubes but no solution sachets.

StellaGibson118 · 04/01/2022 22:33

This thread has been infuriating right off the bat, what's up your arses tonight?!

Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 22:33

@Lottle

Someone else may have already put this but it is it possible your PCR is on the way at the lateral flows have been ordered by another member of the family, to do with work/school etc?
I got emails with dispatch and tracking info!
OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 22:34

@ilovebagpuss

I think the packers are having the odd melt down or run out of stuff so just shove anything in. I’ve had LFT boxes with no little tubes and also some with tubes but no solution sachets.
I suppose it's unsurprising. I wasn't sure whether it was all automated or what but if it's all done by humans what a production line that must be!
Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 22:35

@StellaGibson118

This thread has been infuriating right off the bat, what's up your arses tonight?!
Checks up arse. Finds OP's missing PCR test Shock Grin
Eccle80 · 04/01/2022 22:38

@NorthernChinchilla

Weirdly my husband got sent a PCR test the other day. Hadn't ordered one Confused

I've ordered various LFTs, but this was just the one PCR. I've always done the ordering, not him, and we don't have the same surname, so baffled!

Does he have any conditions or take any kind of immunosuppressant that might make him more vulnerable? My Dad had one in relation to this, but had had an email about it first www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/treatments-for-coronavirus/
RedHot22 · 04/01/2022 22:38

….. we had a lightbulb go tonight and the bus was 3 minutes late

Fiddlersgreen · 04/01/2022 22:39

@whataballbag

The postal ones aren't assigned to you, hence why you have to faff about registering them Smile
That used to be the case but now I think they come already registered to you
Wheredidthequietgo · 04/01/2022 23:01

They all come from the same place. I've had random PCR test kits in with my lateral flow tests a couple of times. I keep them for when needed and just register it then. Poor practice though, must cost a fortune in missing tests.

Utini · 04/01/2022 23:41

Wheredidthequietgo we had a PCR with a box of lateral flow tests once, but it had a letter saying it was part of a study to check the accuracy of the LFTs. We were told to do it at the same time as one of the LFTs and send back, along with registering the LFT result.