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In the face of the surge in Omicron cases the Government changed the rules so some people won't have to wait for a follow up PCR test, after getting a positive lateral flow. Those testing positive on a lateral flow are now required to isolate for five full days, and can leave quarantine on day six after negative tests on day five and six.
If you've got symptoms of the virus, you can get a test and there are 12 other reasons that you can still access a follow up PCR. The NHS says you can get a free PCR test if you have a new persistent cough , a high temperature or a loss of taste or smell.
You can also do a lateral flow test at home which takes just 30 minutes and due to Omicron cases being high across the UK, people are urged to just take these. While Omicron cases remain high, they are falling and most people who catch the bug say they have cold-like symptoms.
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other Covid strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta. Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic , health officials have repeatedly said. The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
PCR polymerase chain reaction tests are the gold standard and are sent off to a lab to be properly processed - unlike lateral flow tests that can be completed at home in less than an hour. It is sent to a laboratory where a lab technician looks for genetic material of the virus using highly specialised equipment. The PCR tests are much better at finding very small amounts of the virus, especially early during an infection.
So these are used primarily in people who have Covid symptoms. It uses a long cotton bud, which takes a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat. NHS Test and Trace figures show around 95 per cent of people get a result in 24 hours if they are tested under Pillar 1, which covers places like hospitals and outbreak spots. But around 60 per cent of those tested at large drive-through centres, under Pillar 2, get their result back in 24 hours.
For example, results may take longer to come back during very busy periods or peaks of waves because labs are swamped with tests. Usually the result is sent to you via text or email when it's ready. If you have the NHS Covid app, the result might come to you that way. If you do not get your results by day six, then call Calls to are free from a landline or mobile phone.
Lines are open from 7am to 11pm. If you test positive for Covid , you have to self-isolate. It's a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive or are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace. You could be fined if you don't. Yesterday the government announced that isolation rules would be slashed to five days, after previously cutting it from 10 days to seven.
The new rules mean if you test negative using lateral flow tests on day six and seven of isolation, with tests taken 24 hours apart, no longer have to self-isolate. If you tested positive with no symptoms on a lateral flow, you don't need to take a PCR anymore, and this counts as day one of your isolation. If you had symptoms and then tested positive on a lateral flow, your isolation began when you first noted symptoms.
But those who leave self-isolation on or after day seven are strongly advised to limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, work from home and minimise contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness.
Although new rules coming in on January 17, will mean people in England can leave isolation after five full days , if they test negative on day five and six.
If you test positive, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started and the next seven full days - unless you keep testing positive. Jump directly to the content. Sign in. All Football. Health News Health Ellie Cambridge. Most read in Health.
Use of your data for COVID Testing | Information Governance - 1. Business Hours
NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention. Related: Lockdown Learning , discuss home schooling during lockdown. My son was tested at 8am yesterday morning at a drive through site. Whenever we've been before we've had the results within about 14 hours.
I know it's only been 36 hours and they say five days, but do you think it's worth calling? He's missed two days of school and can't miss a third mock exams very soon. I'm also worried it's a bad sign - the past tests have been negative.
Can't help but wonder if they double check the positive ones and that's why it's taking longer. Went for another test, results came back in 12 hours. Obviously lost in the system somewhere. Maryann thanks for replying. That doesn't sound very promising. Oh dear. Do I take him for another test tomorrow in case they've lost it?
I must admit I'm tempted to ignore it and assume it was just a brief cold. He had a really bad cold a few weeks ago then on Monday night had a sore throat and a bit of a cough.
The only reason I did a Covid test was because someone at school he knows has Covid. Wouldn't have crossed my mind otherwise and he's not coughed since. Oh what a mess! Waiting here too. Two weeks ago my kids came back within 12 hrs. I'm on 36 hrs now. Though sure I'm positive.
Loads of strong pos lfts. I did hear from someone else that test demand is really high. We are waiting for our test results taken yesterday at although my two children have had their results - positive one emailed at 12pm today and negative at 2pm.
My other child tested at 9am on Monday and positive confirmation email was sent at 5am yesterday so I'm not sure what is happening! Justwingingit oh poor you! Have you been vaccinated? I was really hoping that being jabbed would mean we get it quite mildly. Sorry you're feeling rubbish and hope you feel better soon! I didn't get results from my Saturday test until yesterday. Think they're busy at the moment.
I have a positive result within 24 hours. The local walk in one we had back within 12 hours but the postal one is taking forever!! It did feel like the priority postbox was jammed with them to be fair. A very hollow boxy sound when I posted it and it didn't drop far inside.
My son has Covid now at the start his main symptom was a sore throat and bit of a cough. He already had a cough from a previous respiratory virus. I wouldn't assume it's another cold. Ours negative results finally came through at 10pm last night, 10 hours after my son's positive one although they were done at the same time.
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- Why is my pcr test taking so long scotland
- Why is my pcr test taking so long scotland
They must isolate at home until they receive notification of a negative test, meaning many had to change their Christmas plans. They said they were adding extra capacity to their laboratories to meet "exceptional demand" from across the UK.
People should normally receive their test results within 48 hours. It came as both Scotland and England reported record cases over Christmas, driven by the emergence of the new Omicron variant. In England, the highest number of infections - , in total - were recorded on Christmas Day. Infections peaked on Boxing Day in Scotland, where provisional data shows there were 11, cases recorded. In its latest update the Scottish government confirmed 9, cases were recorded on Monday.
But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would expect to see case numbers rise further in the days to come. On Monday PCR test appointments were temporarily unavailable in large parts of the country due to continued high demand. Among those affected by the delay was primary school teacher Matthew Campbell, from Dundee, who spent Christmas in isolation with his father as they waited for their PCR results. The pair went for a test on 23 December but Mr Campbell only found out on Tuesday morning that he was negative.
His father tested positive so he would have had to isolate anyway - but he was sad to have missed out on the holidays. It was all a bit strange. Prof Leitch said he believed the immediate problem had been resolved and that most results in Scotland should be reported between 24 and 36 hours.
The UKHSA added: "Fast action has been taken to expand processing capability and add extra capacity to our laboratory network to meet this exceptional demand. Others affected by the issue were Nicola and Paul Jenkins, from Glenboig in North Lanarkshire, who had to cancel plans to host Christmas dinner for their wider family.
The couple and their month-old son, Jack, took PCR tests on 23 December after Mr Jenkins, 36, tested positive on a lateral flow device. His wife and son have still not received their results. The woman, who is heavily pregnant and has received both vaccines and the booster, lives with her husband and their six-year-old son in Dundee.
She said she took the test because her brother tested positive on a lateral flow, but she has had no symptoms of the illness and her own LFD tests have repeatedly come back negative. It "ruined" Christmas, she said. I was just waiting for the result - and I just don't think the delay is acceptable. A spokesperson for the Scottish government said anyone who has not received a result within 72 hours should call the helpline on Image source, Getty Images.
Extra capacity is being added to labs to deal with high demand. Boxing Day Covid cases highest on record Omicron: Good news, bad news and what it all means. Some had to change their Christmas plan while they waited for their PCR results. Apology for delay.
Image source, Jenkins family. Paul and Nicola Jenkins, and their son Jack, had to cancel Christmas plans while they waited for a test result. The people who have died with Covid Related Topics. Christmas Coronavirus testing Omicron variant Coronavirus pandemic.
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