ONS survey participants

[HelloMist]

If you are still part of the ONS Covid infection survey, how are you finding the change over to postal/online/phone?

We've had vouchers and blood antibody results back after posting our samples. No PCRs yet though (usually came first!) I suppose it'll take a while for the new system to become efficient.

Not had any tests on the new system yet.

Results took longer than previous. Swab results were about a week, blood antibodies were about 2 weeks.

Same here- we’ve had vouchers and antibodies results back and 2 out of 3 PCR’s. We know the third is positive for covid as DH was isolating with it at the time and testing positive on LFT’s he had to do for work…but it’s been weeks and still no result. Have to say that blood samples are easier when there isn’t someone waiting on the doorstep for them though 😅

I definitely prefer it. We’ve done one round so far on the new system. Our swab tests came back a few days after posting, the vouchers came next followed by the blood test results.

out of interest does anyone one believe them when they say that some people are choosing to opt out of receiving the vouchers?!?

I’ve done one PCR (took a week or so to come back) and have a second one which this thread has reminded me I need to do - thanks! Voucher came through before the PCR result.
I have a friend who’s also doing these and we were both laughing at the notion that anyone has declined the vouchers 🤣

thanks all.

@Blueberry40 I phoned up the helpline. They took our details and said there's been an issue with some of the results. Will update if/when we get them through.

No, I don't believe anyone will opt out of the vouchers! We like helping with the survey but it's quite stressful and time-consuming, so it seems reasonable to get something back.

Agree about not having someone waiting for the blood sample! I still struggled to get enough drops last time though. Some months it's been easy but not every time.

ONS normally report the data every Friday but they have skipped this week's.