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Original poster

Are the rates going down as there are no LFTs left?

36 replies

RandomMess · 19/01/2022 20:31

Seriously cannot get hold of any anywhere so no idea how we are supposed to be doing them twice a week each 🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

5 of us in the house so need 2 packs per week.

OP posts:
OliveTree75 · 19/01/2022 20:33

I'm not struggling to get them at the min. Managed online plus my school and my kids school have loads!

Northernsoullover · 19/01/2022 20:34

I have been getting them online. Last ordered yesterday

CurtailingChaos · 19/01/2022 20:35

I’ve just ordered some online now.
If there are no delivery slots in your area at the moment try first thing in the morning.
They service tends to adjust several times a day.

SellFridges · 19/01/2022 20:35

No. I’ve been able to order online easily whenever we have needed and have an ample supply. There were a couple of issues over Christmas but no issues since.

Our local pharmacies have also been stocked regularly since Christmas, and they hand out packs of 20 in stations and supermarkets,

Overthebow · 19/01/2022 20:44

I’ve been able to get them online easily the last couple of weeks. Everyone I know has too.

Nikkic2123 · 19/01/2022 20:45

My cousin has been testing positive, negative and faint positive on LFT from Monday.
Also had two negative PCR tests- been told to go with PCR
How many poor people are self isolating on the LFT results 🤷‍♀️

TheLazyBeagle · 19/01/2022 20:46

Literally just ordered a pack online.

TheLazyBeagle · 19/01/2022 20:47

To add to that… ONS is showing a marked drop in cases too, and that is entirely random and unrelated to availability of LFT’s.

backaftera2yearbreak · 19/01/2022 20:48

Come up to Scotland. You cannot enter a shop round here without someone trying to hand you piles of the things!

Nidan2Sandan · 19/01/2022 21:04

Had no problems getting them on one so I'm gonna say you're wrong.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 19/01/2022 21:05

I just ordered a pack online- no issues

Verite1 · 19/01/2022 21:14

Yes - no issues with ordering online now. Have u even tried op?

whatatool · 19/01/2022 21:16

I think it's more likely to be apathy about testing or people testing positive on LFT and not officially recording it with NHS

DaisyWaldron · 19/01/2022 21:16

I've able to get them online without trouble for the past week or so, and DD came home from school with a pack yesterday.

DockOTheBay · 19/01/2022 22:53

If they are unavailable its because so many people are ordering them and presumably using them. If anything that would make the number of tests and cases go up?

Meadowblossom · 19/01/2022 22:55

I don’t think there is a problem with LFT shortages, but I do think now you don’t have to have PCR that is playing a part in reducing positive numbers.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 19/01/2022 23:02

Ordered some yesterday and today with no problems (need to test children daily at the minute due to high cases at their school).

Mundra · 19/01/2022 23:12

I've been able to order them online- BUT none have been delivered! Hmm

Can't imagine why recorded cases are dropping Angry

kickupafuss · 20/01/2022 09:09

Even if you can get the tests, I think lots of people are not reporting their positive cases anyway.

TheLazyBeagle · 20/01/2022 11:22

@Mundra

I've been able to order them online- BUT none have been delivered! Hmm

Can't imagine why recorded cases are dropping Angry

Not just ‘recorded’ cases that are dropping. The ONS numbers are dropping too, and that is an entirely random population sample and not at all affected by availability or recording of LFT’s.
TheLazyBeagle · 20/01/2022 11:23

@DockOTheBay

If they are unavailable its because so many people are ordering them and presumably using them. If anything that would make the number of tests and cases go up?
Exactly. There is some weird mental gymnastics going on. There was a shortage of LFT’s for a few weeks because demand was high. The same number (more in fact) of tests were actually being carried out, so that wouldn’t result in a drop in numbers.
Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 20/01/2022 11:25

No problem getting any online. Or from the local testing site who were handing out boxes of 20. Where have you been looking op?
I think rates are dropping as people have the kits are doing them and isolating but not reporting/registering them

Bobholll · 20/01/2022 12:55

You can get them easily online. Literally, anytime but best to check about 7-8am as I’ve never not got a pack then. 🤷🏼‍♀️ There was a shortage over Christmas but it’s cleared now. Pharmacies locally have plenty in as well.

Where are you that you can’t get hold of any?

nordica · 20/01/2022 13:01

I think there is a genuine drop in cases but after all the recent changes, the case numbers can't be compared like for like to previous numbers now.

Some people are clearly not reporting their LFTs at all - there are posts on here every day where someone is confused about what to do about their positive LFT.

The messaging in the media has also been quite confusing. Sky News was just earlier referring to "dropping plan B restrictions masks, working from home and self-isolation" even though self-isolation is still a legal requirement so it's no wonder people don't know what's going on.

beentoldcomputersaysno · 20/01/2022 13:01

ONS also showing a drop, so hopefully they are coming down overall (obviously going crazy for kids at moment). I think not counting reinfections artificially skews numbers though.