The missus works in a discount retailer that does the essentials so is classed as a key worker and had symptoms and after speaking to the 111 service they told her, myself and our daughter to self isolate for 14 days. A week into our isolation it was announced that now key workers could now get tested if they had symptoms, so we got tested this is about what we had to do and how the tests are carried out.
To book she went onto the government testing website, you can only get tested if you have symptoms so this was the first question then a few others like type of sector you work in, personal details etc. At the time she booked you could only goto a test centre, though you can get home tests if available. She then got to choose the location we choose one about 30mins away from us in Birmingham. You get to choose days and times. we got the the next day after booking for mid afternoon. You get a 30 minute slot time, ie our time slot was from 3 – 3.30pm.
The site we went to was on an old car park next to a new building works. As we turned in you are stopped by one of the staff that hold up signs basically telling you to keep windows close, turn engine off when stopped and not to take photos. Then the next person asks how many to be tested, now as the missus booked she booked for herself, and we knew that the family of the key worker can get tested as well we assumed would cover us, though there was a slight problem, the worker then held up a sign to call a mobile number. She just had to tell them our names and relation to her. They then put 3 test bags under your window wiper. For both me and our daughter after we got back had to go to a website and fill in our details.
You then have to wait to go to the next part. the worker again holds up a card with a number to ring, the tests are taken off the car. when you ring the number you get through to someone that explains the test and how to do it. Though these instructions are within the test pack. The tests then are handed through your window. Again drive a little forward to do the tests.
Now we did get a bit confused but the basics are in your test bag you have gloves, instructions, tissue, test swab, bar codes, instructions, hazard plastic bag and test tube to put it it. You have to put a barcode on the test tube and one on the outside of the outer bag. You use the swab with gloves on and put in your mouth to the back and turn 5 times and the same with each nostril. Once done put the swab in the test tube and break of the end and put lid on. then you put that in a hazard plastic bag and seal. The worker comes up to the window you then drop the test bags into a box. We did get a bit confused of the steps of what to put where etc, and also even though you have time did feel bit rushed and we got a bit flustered as was a bit hot that day and with windows closed and engine off was getting a bit warm in the car.
Our total time going through the different sections and doing the test was about 45 minutes. There was over 10 cars in front of us and there was another queue of cars aswell. The information tells you that should receive your results normally within 48 hours though can be upto 5 days. We got ours in just under 48hrs you get a text and also an email. Ours came up negative which is good for us. Though the test is just to tell you either you have it or are clear on that day. It doesn’t say that you have had it and with the way the missus has been she must have had it as she was really bad, though not to the point she had to go to hospital. Read my next article about this.