People also ask
Do I need a Covid-19 Swab Test?
If you have symptoms of Covid-19 (a hight temperature, new continuous cough and/or a loss/change to your sense of taste and/or smell) you may want to get tested for the virus. The same goes for you if you’ve been in contact with someone who’s got the virus or has symptoms. You don’t need to have symptoms yourself to get tested.
How accurate is the test?
This Covid-19 test is 99.99% accurate with the correct sample taking technique.
It is important that you follow the instructions included in your test kit. The current evidences shows a mean incubation period before symptoms emerge of 5 days. This test has a sensitivity of under 100 copies of viral RNA and shows 100% homology to the current strains of the virus. This means that, the test will successfully detect it.
Are you travelling abroad?
Some countries may require proof upon arrival of a recent negative Covid-19 test result. Failure to provide proof may mean you’ll be unable to enter the destination country. A Covid-19 Results Form details the results of a recent Covid-19 swab test, sometimes called a Covid-19 PCR test. These tests work by detecting if the virus is currently in your system (they are not able to tell you if you’ve been infected in the past). The negative results page is designed to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 by ensuring that only travellers who are unlikely to be carrying the infection are accepted into the country.
How does the Coronavirus/Covid-19 PCR Self Test Kit process work?
- Purchase a Coronavirus/Covid-19 PCR Self Test Kit
- Once you receive the Test Kit please ensure that you READ THE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGLY
- Collect your sample by carefully swabbing the areas recommended in the instructions leaflet
- Return your sample to the sterile swab collection tube and seal the swab inside
- Place the sealed swab into the transparent zip-lock biohazard bag provided
- Post your sample to the laboratory using the pre-paid Royal Mail postage envelope included
- Await your test results from the laboratory
What exactly is Coronavirus/Covid-19?
Coronavirus is a viral infection that causes a respiratory illness in the majority of people. It enters the body through cells deep within the lungs. This causes difficulties in breathing, along with other respiratory symptoms. The virus can also enter the body via cells in the stomach, intestines and rectum, and some people with coronavirus show gastrointestinal symptoms of the illness such as diarrhoea or vomiting. Having a COVID-19 testing kit would help to determine whether someone has definitely been infected by coronavirus, rather than another respiratory or intestinal infection.
Most coronavirus cases show a fever at some point during the illness. Other symptoms include a cough, loss of appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell and generalised aches and pains in the joints and muscles. Unfortunately, in severe cases, coronavirus can cause pneumonia, the failure of multiple organs and death.
Please visit the NHS 111 Coronavirus/Covid-19 page for more information about Covid-19.
Why is testing recommended?
The EU has recommended that timely and accurate COVID-19 testing is achieved to slow the rate of the pandemic and to help with patient management. The World Health Organisation has stated that while laboratory testing is of the highest standard, there is limited testing capacity. As such, rapid antigen testing could relieve pressure on laboratories to meet the urgent testing needs of the wider community.
Testing is essential, regardless of the result. A negative outcome allows an individual to continue following government advice regarding social distancing without needing to self-isolate. A positive result enables individuals to take urgent steps to reduce the spread of infection. This should include remaining at home, isolating from other members of your household, and strict cleaning of communal areas after use.